Serena Williams won her second French Open title on Saturday, 11 years after her first triumph, defeating title-holder Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 in a brief, but high-quality final. (All AFP images)

Heading in to the match, Serena Williams was the strong favourite, having won 13 times for two defeats against Maria Sharapova.

Throughout the match, Serena dominated Sharapova's serve with sequences of brutal service returns that had the Russian reeling for much of the game.

Sharapova managed to serve her way out of trouble on a few occasions but Serena managed to overpower her opponent on clay.

The crowd tried to lift the defending champion Sharapova, who was seeking her fifth Grand Slam title and second at Roland Garros, but apart from a few moments, she was underwhelming.

Serena produced her best tennis of the match in the first set which she won in 55 minutes and went on to claim a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Serena comfortably served out the match, with three aces to conclude with, to gleefully banish 11 years of frustrations at Roland Garros.

It was the 31-year-old Serena's 16th Grand Slam title win, taking her to within two of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who are tied for fourth on the all-time list.