Muguruza announced her talent to the world two years ago by handing Williams her heaviest ever slam loss in the second round of the French Open and then lost to the American in her first final at Wimbledon last summer.
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Serena Williams was looking to achieve the 22nd Grand Slam in Saturday’s French Open final but was defeated in straight sets by Garbine Muguruza.
Garbine Muguruza seized her chance in spectacular fashion to win her first grand slam title at the French Open as Serena Williams’ grip on women’s tennis loosened a little further. The Russian teenager came out and simply overwhelmed Williams, the two having played just once before, Sharapova crushing Serena with her power off the ground. “I grew up on clay so for Spain and for me this is just wonderful”.
Muguruza is the first Spanish woman to win the title at Roland Garros since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 1998 and her success will surely soften the blow of nine-time champion Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament through injury. It was what many thought would be the start of another great rivalry in women’s tennis, but Serena has lost just once in 18 meetings since.
Williams fought as she always does and, on another day, saving four match points might have been crucial.
“You’ve got to face the best player in the final”.
The loss, which came in her fourth match in four days after rain played havoc with the schedule this week, also ended her 14-match winning streak at Roland Garros. Then in January, Angelique Kerber topped her in the Australian Open final.
The Spaniard demonstrates the same sort of determination on a court that she observed in Williams and her sibling, hitting hard groundstrokes, aiming for lines, taking risks that bring real rewards. I want her to be happy as a person.
That Muguruza arrived in the tournament with as many Grand Slam finals as overall singles titles – and her victory marks only her third title – is evidence to her inconsistency. “There’s only one more step to be number one and I’m sure she’s going to win more grand slams”.
“Congratulations to Garbine, she played really well today”, said Williams, who confirmed that she had been slightly troubled by an adductor problem.
“The previous day Williams appeared to view the Graf landmark with an uneasy mixture of fatalism and indifference, telling reporters “(there’s) nothing I can do about it”.
Things got even better when she broke in the first game of the second set and, though Williams broke back immediately, another break gave her a 2-1 lead, which she consolidated with a good hold to follow.
Her powerful first serve allows her to dictate play from the baseline and she spanks winners with her forehand or backhand with equal ease.
Still, she had no complaints after she was beaten at her own game by Muguruza.
Williams had more difficulty putting shots right where she wanted, an unusual sight.
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Williams had fired a backhand down the line, directly in front of Billie Jean King, who was watching from the front row. The momentum garnered by the Muguruza was able to carry her to a 5-3 lead. In between, she won 11 WTA titles in 2013 and put together a 34-match win streak between Miami and Wimbledon.
