By Chris Oddo

(July 6, 2013) -- Marion Bartoli defeated Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-4 to win her first career Grand Slam title on Saturday at Wimbledon. Bartoli becomes only the second Frenchwoman to have won Wimbledon in the Open Era, and the first since Amelie Mauresmo won it in 2006.

After dropping serve in the first game of the match, Bartoli reeled off the next six games to claim the first set in thirty minutes. Lisicki hit 25 unforced errors in the set, and did not manage to hold serve once.

After a bathroom break between sets, Lisicki appeared to have gathered herself for the second set. She won the first game with a trademark slice serve that Bartoli could not handle and let out a grunt that said she was ready to battle, but Bartoli regained control quickly to lead 5-1.

After a shaky set full of unforced errors and even a few tears, Lisicki summoned her best tennis to mount a last-ditch rally. She saved three match points to close to 5-2, then won consecutive games to force Bartoli to serve for the match a second time.

Bartoli held to love, finishing the match with an ace and raising her arms in celebration. "I've been practicing my serve for so long," Bartol said. "At least I saved it for the best moment."

Bartoli's first Grand Slam title comes in her 47th appearance at a major. No other woman has ever waited as long. The previous record holder in that category was Jana Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 1998 in her 45th appearance at a Grand Slam.

(Photo Credit: AFP/Patrick Kovarik)