(CNN) -- Serena Williams fended off a stirring fightback from Agnieszka Radwanska to win her fifth Wimbledon singles title with a 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory Saturday.

It was the 30-year-old American's 14th grand slam crown and her first since winning at the All England Club in 2010, but Poland's Radwanska made her fight every inch of the way.

Suffering from a respiratory problem and trailing after a one-sided first set, Radwanska recovered from a break down in the second to give Williams a real Centre Court scare.

After leveling at one set all, Radwanska took a 2-1 lead in the decider before Williams romped to victory with a run of five straight games.

She celebrated by climbing into the players' box to embrace her sister Venus and other close connections including her physiotherapist Esther Lee.

Williams spent almost a year on the sidelines, being struck by first injury then serious illness after being laid low by dangerous blood clots.

Historic victories, crushing defeats at Wimbledon

A visibly emotional Williams showed how much victory meant to her in her post-match interview.

"I can't describe it. I almost didn't make it a few years ago. I was in hospital and I thought I'd never be here again, so this makes it so worth it," she said.

"It's all the sweeter. I was so down but you never give up. You have to continue," she added.

Williams has capped her steady return to the top with an emphatic performance on the grass courts, particularly since the quarterfinals where she dispatched reigning champion Petra Kvitova.

1. Who played in the Wimbledon titles match mentioned in the story?
2. Who was her opponent?
3. Who won the match?
4. What was the score?
5. How old is the victor now?
6. How many grand slams has she won?
7. When did she capture her last one?
8. At what venue?
9. Was this match an easy one for her?
10. Was Serena's opponent healthy for the match?
11. What was wrong with her?
12. How many games in a row did Williams win at the end?
13. How did she celebrate her triumph?
14. Who did she hug?
15. Anyone else?
16. How long was she out of action?
17. What caused her inactivity?
18. What was the sickness?
19. Was she calm after she won?
20. Did she think she would get another Wimbledon title?
1. Serena Williams.
2. Agnieszka Radwanska.
3. Williams.
4. 6-1 5-7 6-2.
5. 30.
6. 14.
7. 2010.
8. The All England Club.
9. No.
10. No.
11. A respiratory problem.
12. Five.
13. By climbing into the players' box .
14. Her sister Venus.
15. Her physiotherapist Esther Lee.
16. Almost a year.
17. First injury then serious illness.
18. Blood clots.
19. No.
20. No.