SPAIN’S WORLD NUMBER four Garbine Muguruza took full advantage of an apparently injured Serena Williams as she claimed 7 – 5, 6 – 4 victory at Roland Garros this afternoon.
Williams admitted after her semi-final victory yesterday, that an injury was causing her ‘some issues’ and the legendary American looked out of sorts even during the warm-up before today’s French Open final.
Williams, though, is still an incredibly difficult opponent to beat and Muguruza had to bring her top form to defeat the 34-year-old.
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The Venezuelan-born 22-year-old broke Williams in the fifth game of the opening set, yet Williams refused to bow to the tide and broke back. In the 11th game of the set, Muguruza forced another series of break points and a stunning backhand down the line swung the set her way before she closed out on serve.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The rivals traded breaks in the opening games of the second set, but it was Muguruza who held serve first before breaking a second time. And from there on in, she had the difficult task of holding her nerve while Williams battled with her back against the wall.
The Spaniard, who is now the first Spanish woman to win the Paris Grand Slam since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, came close to winning the second set in nine games, but Williams again refused to go out with a whimper, battling back from break and championship points with a blistering serve.
But the 21-time Grand Slam winner couldn’t hold the Spaniard back much longer. Serving for the title, Muguruza took control of the final game of the final by forcing her opponent to scramble around the court.
Christophe Ena
Christophe Ena
When Williams did get on the front foot on match point, she sent a terrific forehand to the corner, the Spaniard made it and sent the ball lobbed through the air. Williams turns to try and force one more point, but the ball beats her to the ground and lands on the baseline to give Muguruza her first Grand Slam title.
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Garbine Muguruza takes French Open title in straight-sets win over Serena Williams
SPAIN’S WORLD NUMBER four Garbine Muguruza took full advantage of an apparently injured Serena Williams as she claimed 7 – 5, 6 – 4 victory at Roland Garros this afternoon.
Williams admitted after her semi-final victory yesterday, that an injury was causing her ‘some issues’ and the legendary American looked out of sorts even during the warm-up before today’s French Open final.
Williams, though, is still an incredibly difficult opponent to beat and Muguruza had to bring her top form to defeat the 34-year-old.
The Venezuelan-born 22-year-old broke Williams in the fifth game of the opening set, yet Williams refused to bow to the tide and broke back. In the 11th game of the set, Muguruza forced another series of break points and a stunning backhand down the line swung the set her way before she closed out on serve.
The rivals traded breaks in the opening games of the second set, but it was Muguruza who held serve first before breaking a second time. And from there on in, she had the difficult task of holding her nerve while Williams battled with her back against the wall.
The Spaniard, who is now the first Spanish woman to win the Paris Grand Slam since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, came close to winning the second set in nine games, but Williams again refused to go out with a whimper, battling back from break and championship points with a blistering serve.
But the 21-time Grand Slam winner couldn’t hold the Spaniard back much longer. Serving for the title, Muguruza took control of the final game of the final by forcing her opponent to scramble around the court.
When Williams did get on the front foot on match point, she sent a terrific forehand to the corner, the Spaniard made it and sent the ball lobbed through the air. Williams turns to try and force one more point, but the ball beats her to the ground and lands on the baseline to give Muguruza her first Grand Slam title.
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Garbine Muguruza Roland Garros Serena Williams Upset