WIMBLEDON, England ? If there were ever any doubts about Lleyton Hewitt’s status as the world’s top player, there aren’t any more.

The 21-year-old Australian crushed David Nalbandian in straight sets Sunday in the Wimbledon final to win his second Grand Slam title, solidify his No. 1 ranking and confirm the changing of the guard in men’s tennis.

In a tournament where aging former champions Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi lost in the second round, Hewitt swept through without a hitch and put on a ruthless performance Sunday to win 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in less than two hours.

Hewitt became the youngest Wimbledon men’s champion since Boris Becker won his second title in 1986 at age 18 – and the first baseliner to lift the trophy since Andre Agassi in 1992.

Hewitt’s victory also was the most dominating final in terms of games lost since John McEnroe beat Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in 1984

“I kept looking at the scoreboard to see if it was real,” Hewitt said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. I always dreamed that someday I would be playing for this trophy.”

“Now this is a real ripper,” he said, using an Australian expression meaning, “This is great.”

“I don’t really want to let go of it. I think I should retire now and go and play Aussie Rules football!”

After winning match point, Hewitt climbed up through the stands to embrace his friends and family in the guest box, emulating the celebrations of Pat Cash, the last Australian to win Wimbledon in 1987.

“I had no idea what I was going to do if I won,” Hewitt said. “I went to my chair and thought, `Stuff it, I’ll go and do it.’ It’s been 15 years since an Aussie won.”

Hewitt spoke with Cash before and after the match, and got a call early Sunday from Pat Rafter, the Australian who lost in the final the past two years and is on an extended break from the game.

“He said, `Go out there and do it for Australia,'” Hewitt said.

Meanwhile, Venus and Serena Williams won the women’s doubles title, beating Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez 6-2 7-5. It was their second Wimbledon doubles title and fifth Grand Slam championship – and came a day after Serena beat Venus in the women’s singles final.

The men’s final shaped up as a mismatch: the top-seeded Hewitt against No. 28 Nalbandian, a 20-year-old Argentine playing in his first grass-court tournament and his first match on Centre Court.

And a mismatch it was.

Hewitt never wavered, whipping his ground strokes with power and precision, dictating the points, making very few errors. Nalbandian couldn’t cope with the occasion or Hewitt’s supremacy, making countless unforced errors.

“It was a big moment for both of us,” Hewitt said. “But I’ve been in a Slam final, so I sort of understand how the pressure and nerves are going to be.”

Nalbandian said he was nervous at the start but couldn’t do anything to stop Hewitt.

“He didn’t miss any shots,” he said. “He played great. It’s not easy me for to play the final in my first time here. But I think he’s a good winner.”

Hewitt’s only show of nerves came when he served a double fault on his first match point at 5-2, 40-0. But when Nalbandian hit a shot long on the next point, Hewitt fell onto his back in exhilaration

He got back to his feet and slammed a ball out of the stadium. After shaking hands with Nalbandian, Hewitt left his racket on his chair and pumped his fists above his head to the crowd.

After climbing into the stands, he embraced his coach, Jason Stoltenberg; kissed his girlfriend, Kim Clijsters; and hugged his parents before returning to the court to accept the winner’s trophy.

With an Australian flag draped around his shoulders, he paraded around the court showing off the Challenge Cup trophy to the crowd.

Hewitt, who won the U.S. Open last September, has now added the most prestigious title in tennis to his resume and validated his legitimacy as the top dog in the game. He dropped only two sets in the tournament and seemed to come of age both on and off the court.

He won the title without any of the controversy that has dogged his career: no tantrums, no abrasive behavior, no tirades at umpires or line judges.

The statistics told the story: Hewitt, the more aggressive player, had 30 winners and 25 unforced errors, while Nalbandian had only 12 winners and 41 unforced errors.

Hewitt broke eight times, while Nalbandian converted on only two of 10 break chances.

It was a typical fiery display from Hewitt, who, after key points, shouted, “C’mon!” pointed to his friends and family in the stands and pumped his fist.

Nalbandian, the first player to reach the final in his Wimbledon debut, had played all of his previous matches on outside courts or Court 1. He made it onto Centre Court for the first time Sunday morning for a 30-minute practice session with his coach.

But he was clearly shaken by the occasion. He double faulted to open the match, was broken in the first game and never really recovered as Hewitt grabbed the match by the throat and didn’t let go. Nalbandian double-faulted to drop the first set.

“I thought he was going to be a little bit nervous at the start,” Hewitt said. “I thought that was a big opportunity for me to try and get the initiative right from the start and put the foot forward. And I was able to do that.”

There was some light relief during a 15-rain rain break with Hewitt up 1-0 in the second set. A male streaker shed his clothes and shoes on Centre Court, did a little dance and somersaulted over the net before being escorted away with a red sheet around him.

There was also a 34-minute rain break at 3-3 in the second set.

The only controversy of the match came in the fifth game of the third set, with Hewitt holding a break point. Hewitt hit a deep forehand that Nalbandian thought was long. He continued to play the point, which Hewitt won to go up 3-2.

Once the point was over, Nalbandian put a ball down just behind the baseline to show where he thought the shot had landed and argued with chair umpire Mike Morrissey. But the call stood and Nalbandian faded quickly.

Hewitt held at love in the next game, broke with the help of two double faults for 5-2, and served out the match.