Tennis has a new superstar. And she's just 17.

Completing an improbable journey from the far reaches of Siberia to the pinnacle of the sport, Maria Sharapova outplayed two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1 6-4 to win Wimbledon for her first Grand Slam.

She's the first Russian to win a Wimbledon singles title and the third-youngest women's champion in history.

"I never, never in my life expected this to happen so fast," Sharapova said. "It's always been my dream to come here and to win. It was never in my mind I would do it this year."

After Williams hit a forehand into the net to end the 73-minute match, Sharapova dropped to her knees at the baseline and covered her face with her hands. She raised her arms and walked to the net. Williams walked around the net and the two players embraced.

Sharapova pumped her fists, whacked a ball into the stands and climbed into the guest box to hug her father, Yuri. She pulled out a cell phone and tried to call her mother but couldn't get through immediately.

"I turned it on and it keeps turning off - come on, technology," she said with a giggle.

Sharapova accepted the winner's trophy - the Venus Rosewater dish - from the Duke of Kent.

"I want to cut up this trophy and give it to everybody, this whole crowd," she said.

Turning to Williams, Sharapova said, "I have to take this trophy from you for one year. I'm sorry. ... I'm sure we're going to be here one more time and hopefully many more times in other Grand Slams and fight for the trophy."

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