The final of the women’s singles in the French Open 2016 was awaited by fans in great anticipation for the simple reason that the world no.1 in WTA i.e Serena Williams, had the golden opportunity to create history by equaling the record of Steffi Graf who has won the highest no. of grand slams in women’s singles history with 22 slams to her name.
Williams’ opponent in the final was the emerging Spaniard in Muguruza was at the start of this year had troubles with an injury from which she recovered and has moved up the rankings to find herself at the no.4th spot. Muguruza and Williams rivalry goes back an year when the latter beat the no.4th seed from Spain in the Wimbledon final 2015 – stopping her from achieving her first major grand slam success. Almost a year later, Muguruza found herself in Williams’ way to achieving 22 slams – there was a lot to play for.
Williams coming into this grand slam final had the records in her way, having the great ratio of 22 wins and 4 losses in the finals of the 4 majors. For Muguruza, this was her first French Open final and a few early signs of nervousness were ought to be there.
Williams began the match with great confidence, serving a love game to begin off the final. In the fourth game of the first set, things started to look shaky for Muguruza who found herself saving a break-point, which she did with a fantastic forehand followed up by an ace. In the very next game though, the pendulum swung Muguruza’s way and a double-fault from Williams gave her a break-point, she was leading 4-2. Williams fought back to break Muguruza’s serve only to get her service broken 2 games later, Muguruza then just had to win on her serve to clinch the first set, which she did – 7-5.
The next set was full of emotions flying high from both the sides of the net, more so from Serena Williams’ side who was frustrated to not be able to capitalize on her strong serve which is otherwise enough to put her opponents on the backfoot, but it wasn’t as lethal in this important final.
Williams got her very first service game in the 2nd set broken and was trailing 1-0 but a double-fault from Muguruza put the set back on serve 1-1. But, Williams yet again failed to retain her serve and Muguruza broke back, this time also winning on her serve and leading 3-1. After this point on, Muguruza didn’t look back and continued on her merry way to serve well and ensured that she doesn’t allow Williams to break her.
A spirited Muguruza rose up to the challenge and beat the world no.1 7-5 6-4 to clinch her maiden French Open title. Williams like a champion graciously came across the net and hugged the visibly emotional Muguruza, the new French Open champion.
Other results :
The all-Indian final in the mixed doubles was won by the pair of Leander Paes and Martina Hingis who beat Sania Mirza and Dodig 4-6 6-4 10-8. With this win, both Paes and Hingis complete a career slam (winning all the 4 majors).
In the men’s doubles, it was the battle of the Lopez brothers vs the Bryan Brothers. The Lopez brothers denied another slam to the illustrious tally of the Bryan brothers; who got beaten 6-4 6-7 6-3. This is the first time in 26 years that a Spanish pair has won at the Rolland Garros.
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