Garbine Muguruza has ended Spain’s 18-year wait for a female grand slam champion after stunning top seed Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4, in the final of the French Open.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan-born player was the underdog going into the final against the defending champion. The final marked Muguruza’s second appearance in a major final compared to Williams’ 27th. Despite the disparity in experience, both players made a cautious start to the match as nerves played a key factor. The first test of the match occurred in the fourth game when Muguruza saved two break points during a ten-minute service game.
Avoiding the break, it was Muguruza’s turn to apply the pressure when a deep backhand return forced the top seed to return the ball out, rewarding her 40-0 against the Williams serve. The break was then gifted following a double fault from the defending champion. Surging ahead, Muguruza extended her lead to 4-2, with a breathtaking forehand down the line.
BOOOOM Muguruza ! https://t.co/oB1Iay4C8d
— Eurosport.fr (@Eurosport_FR) 4 June 2016
In recent times, there has been a common trait in matches between Williams and Muguruza. Twice last year the world No.1 went behind in the match before coming back to seal the win against the world No.4. It seemed like this would occur once again as Williams broke back to level at 4-4. Despite the comeback, Muguruza’s aggressive play, consisting of some blistering forehand winners, rewarded her a second break to serve for the set at 6-5. Unlike earlier in the set, the world No.4 held her nerve, saving a duo of break points, to clinch the set with a backhand winner down the line.
Upset alert!
Garbine Muguruza takes first set against Serena Williams 7-5 https://t.co/3ADPGn3k70
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 4 June 2016
Sealing the opening set, Muguruza grew in confidence against the match favourite during a roller coaster start to the second set. Three consecutive breaks occurred as the Spanish player displayed some sublime shots against Williams’ serve before coming undone in her own game with a series of errors. Finally the trend of breaks stopped when a shot from Muguruza landed in the corner of the court to extend her lead to 3-1. There was no way back for Williams, who was far from her best tennis, which was required against a flawless Muguruza. An ace out wide moved the underdog to a set and 5-3, one game away from the biggest win in her life.
Forcing the top seed to serve to stay in the match, a backhand error from Williams handed Muguruza two championship points before both of them swift disappeared with some heavy serving from the world No.1. Four match points came and went as Williams held her serve, leading to Muguruza tasked with serving for the French Open title.
The Spanish fairy-tale finally came true after a masterful overhead lob by Muguruza landed just inside the court.
Muguruza is only the third woman is history to defeat Williams twice at the French open after Jenefier Capriati and Justin Henin. She is also the first Spanish grand slam winner since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario at the 1998 French Open. The 22-year-old is the youngest grand slam winner since Victoria Azarenka at the 2012 Australian Open.
“I can’t explain in words what this day means to me. You work all your life to get here. I’ve grown up playing on clay, so for Spain and me, this is amazing,” the 2016 champion said.
Discussing her win over Williams, the world No.4 attributed her mentality towards the victory.
“I think Serena is a very powerful player and I have got to be ready and very concentrated on all the points, try to fight as much as I can.” Muguruza said about her tactics.
The Spanish trumps means that Williams will have to wait longer in her bid to equal Steffi Graf’s record of 22 grand slam titles. On the verge of tears during the awards ceremony, the world No.1 vowed to come back next year.
“We didn’t win this year, but next year who knows,” an emotional world No.1 said during her tribute to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Winning only the third title in her career, Muguruza will rise to second in the world rankings, the highest position ever achieved in her career.
