Serena Williams became the oldest French Open champion
of the Open era with her straight sets victory over second
seed Maria Sharapova.
The world number one defeated Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 to
claim her second Roland Garros title, 11 years after her first
victory.
Before the contest, Sharapova had bided to defend the title
she won last year against Sara Errani, but the 'French Open
is the slipperiest of titles' and Williams threw all sorts of
schemes at the Russian to keep a 31-match unbeaten run
steady.
From powerful forehands to backhands, drop-shots,
groundstrokes and ace serves, a high-quality match
between the two best players in the world couldn't have
been one sided and both players came up with their own
tricks as the clash wore off.
Sharapova saw off 4 break points in the opening game and
started the second with the same momentum, breaking
Williams' serve, and looked well set in the next at 40-15
before Williams stepped on the gas pedal.
A heavy forehand winner helped her back into the game,
but later thumped away a smash on break point.
Williams assumed the commanding role of the game at 4-2
after clinching four games in a row, but the second seed
battled back to 4-4 in some fierce baseline exchanges.
Williams cranked up the power to suppress Sharapova's
pressure, producing the kind of shots that the Russian
couldn't withstand, thereby forcing her into a forehand error
in game 9 before serving out the set in 51 minutes.
Sharapova saved five break points in a gripping first game of
the second set, but trouble came calling with the manner of
serves from the American as well as the pressure that
comes with it.
With defeat written on the wall's of the Chatrier stadium for
Sharapova, she managed to hold serve from 30-30, but she
was not about to be given a reprieve by her opponent.
The top seed claimed the contest with a searing ace serve
before dropping to her knees in ecstasy.

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