The second set was also Muguruza’s as the 22-year-old came out ahead from consecutive breaks of serve in the first three games, taking a 3-1 lead and putting the pressure on the American in a dramatic ninth game lasting nearly 10 minutes as Williams saved four match points.
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It’s the third straight Grand Slam final Williams has lost, but those aren’t stretched out appearances – she’s been in the last three Grand Slam finals that were played. I just tried to fight as much as I can.
Garbine Muguruza carried over her brilliant play early into the second, breaking Williams in the opening game.
Tennis – French Open Women’s Singles Final match – Roland Garros – Serena Williams of the USA vs Garbine Muguruza of Spain – Paris, France – 04/06/16.
So the wait continues for Serena’s coronation as the greatest tennis player of the Open-era.
With the win, Muguruza becomes the first Spanish woman to win the title since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario did so in 1998. This is the second time she has beaten Williams in the French Open.
But she unleashed another forehand down the line to regain the advantage and held for 3-1.
King, who won 12 grand slams in the 1960s and 1970s, said: “It is the changing of the guard. We didn’t win today, but we’ll try again next year”, she said, her voice cracking.
An ugly double fault, however, earned Muguruza the first break of the match, which she consolidated by holding serve in the sixth game with a flat forehand victor down the line to lead 4-2. “It’s the flawless final and I am so happy”, she said.
But Muguruza calmly put the victory away a game later, winning against an opponent with almost 40 unforced errors. The American trying to dictate play with her powerful ground strokes, but Muguruza is equal to the task, and fires a attractive forehand victor down the line for a 4-2 lead.
On the quicker grass courts at Wimbledon, that can present a real problem-and winning just two of her five net points is a cause for concern too-volleying is often a major component of successful play there.
The Spaniard now with set point in the first, and she loads up on a backhand and delivers it with precision to the corner to claim the frame 7-5. But Williams broke back and the Spaniard found herself serving to stay in the set at 4-5.
Williams stood and applauded as Muguruza sank to the clay in celebration. “She knows how to play on the big stage and clearly, she knows how to win Grand Slams”.
“She’s the one everyone’s been talking about, for two years anyway. She has nothing to prove at this point, she’s just playing for record books”.
With both players hitting huge groundstrokes and vying for control of the rallies, Williams looked to have gained the upper hand with three games in a row taking her 5-4 in front.
“She’s a great player on any surface”, said Serena. The precious moment that Muguruza had been waiting most of her life for was stalled in some kind of odd delay.
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“If she was indifferent about making history in her sport that would be a concern”, Mouratoglou said.
