French Open 2016, Women's Singles Final Highlights: Muguruza Clinches Maiden Title
Garbine Muguruza won the French Open for the first time by defeating top seed Serena Williams in straight sets. Relive all the highlights here.
Garbine Muguruza defeated top seed Serena Williams to clinch her maiden French Open title. In the process, she became the first Spaniard since Sanchez-Vicario to clinch the title at Roland Garros. For Serena Williams, her quest for the 22nd Grand Slam title is prolonged. Relive all the memorable highlights here.
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21:00 hrs IST: Muguruza had said that this win has been great for her and Spain as she grew up playing on clay courts. So, a Spanish champion is still crowned in Roland Garros despite Rafael Nadal's absence.
20:46 hrs IST: The presentations are underway with Muguruza stating that this was the perfect final. With this French Open victory, she is now moved up to No.2 in the world rankings.
20:35 hrs IST: Muguruza does it! Brilliant stuff from the Spaniard and she wins her maiden Grand Slam Title. With a perfect lob, she finishes the match to beat Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4. She becomes the first Spanish player since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario to win the French Open.
20:29 hrs IST: After four championship points, Serena finally manages to hold serve. Spaniard will be serving for the championship. This game lasted for close to 10 minutes.
20:28 hrs IST: Serena serves a double fault and the game continues. Looks like no one wants to seal it. It is advantage Serena again as she rips a forehand down the line.
20:26 hrs IST: After missing four championship points, Muguruza puts one forehand long and it is game point for Serena but the Spaniard fights back and the game is brought to a stalemate.
20:24 hrs IST: Wonderful forehand from Serena and she saves the championship point again. But, Serena messes up with the drop shot and Muguruza gets her fourth championship point.
20:22 hrs IST: Garbine Muguruza gets two championship points as Serena struggles on the forehand. However, the top seed saves it. But Muguruza returns well and she gets her third championship point.
20:19 hrs IST: Muguruza seals the eighth game with an ace down the right side as she comes closer to the title. Muguruza 5, Serena 3, Muguruza up one set.
20:17 hrs IST: Ninth double fault for Muguruza, fifth in the second set. This could prove to be costly.
20:15 hrs IST: Serena seals the game with an ace and she is hanging in there. Muguruza 4, Serena 3, Muguruza up one set.
20:12 hrs IST: Another relatively easy hold for Muguruza. Her ground strokes are proving to be too hot to handle. Serena is losing momentum. Muguruza 4, Serena 2, Muguruza up one set.
20:07 hrs IST: Serena holds serve after a good comeback from Muguruza. Muguruza 3, Serena 2, Muguruza up one set.
20:04 hrs IST: In the 2015 Wimbledon final, Serena had beaten Muguruza in the final. The Spaniard is coming closer to taking revenge.
20:03 hrs IST: Some more unforced errors from Serena's forehand and Muguruza finally holds serve in the second set with a magnificent forehand. Muguruza 3, Serena 1, Muguruza up by one set.
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19:57 hrs IST: Serena's second serve under pressure. She finds herself two break points down and Muguruza capitalises on it with a brilliant forehand. Third break in this set. Muguruza 2, Serena 1, Muguruza one set up.
19:55 hrs IST: Another break point as Muguruza serves her sixth double fault. And Serena gets the break back with another double fault and the top seed is back on level terms. Three double faults in this game. Muguruza 1, Serena 1, one set up.
19:53 hrs IST: Muguruza's backhand finds the net and she finds herself a break down. But, another Serena error on the back hand saves the break point. A double fault gives Serena another break point chance but the Spaniard saves it with wonderful use of the court and she saves the point with a back hand.
19:52 hrs IST: Muguruza comes close to the net but she is met with a fierce Serena cross-court forehand. First time the Spaniard tried coming at the net.
19:50 hrs IST: Poor start for Serena as she is unable to hold serve and is broken immediately in the first game. Unforced errors creeping up in Serena's game. Muguruza 1, Serena 0, one set up.
19:47 hrs IST: Third time lucky for Muguruza as she thumps a deep forehand to Serena's left and the top seed is unable to counter. The Spaniard wins the first set 7-5.
19:44 hrs IST: Another set point for Muguruza as Serena finds the net. But again, Serena's blistering pace on the forehand results in an error from the Spaniard's forehand.
19:42 hrs IST: Another deep forehand from Muguruza and Serena can only find the net. Set point and the crowd cheer the Spaniard on. However, Serena saves it with a cross court volley.
19:41 hrs IST: Another double fault and Serena has two chances to take the set to a tie-breaker. Muguruza saves one when the American blasts a forehand long. The Spaniard saves the break point with an ace down the ground. Deuce in the 12th game.
19:40 hrs IST: Serena attacks the net and smashes a lob down the centre. The pressure is on the Spaniard.
19:39 hrs IST: Another good backhand from Muguruza that just clips the line and Serena hits it wide. 15-15. Can she seal the set?
19:36 hrs IST: Muguruza turns the tables on Serena brilliantly. The top seed draws the Spaniard wide with some wide backhands but Muguruza responds with a backhand down the right side. Another back hand is too much for Serena and Muguruza breaks again. She will serve for the set. Muguruza 6, Serena 5.
19:34 hrs IST: Poor start for Serena. Another double fault and she messes up with the drop shot as Muguruza goes ahead 0-30. However, a couple of backhand errors allow Serena to come back.
19:32 hrs IST: Muguruza's second serve is proving to be her weak link but she makes it up with some smart play. Muguruza wrong foots Serena and seals the game to stay on level terms. Serena 5, Muguruza 5.
19:29 hrs IST: Magnificent stuff from Serena. Blasts a forehand deep down the left court and she manages to hold serve. Serena 5, Muguruza 4. Excellent comeback after being down 2-4.
19:27 hrs IST: Serena's power serve is helping her but Muguruza is holding on with some attacking ground strokes. Serena double faults on her second serve and it is 30-30 in the ninth game.
19:25 hrs IST: Good work from Serena. She wrong foots Muguruza and the Spaniard manages a weak backhand which Serena drills it down for a break points. Serena breaks back as Muguruza hits a forehand long. Serena 4, Muguruza 4.
19:24 hrs IST: A deep forehand return is too much for Muguruza to handle and she finds the net. 30-30 in the eighth game.
19:22 hrs IST: Yikes! Serena's guttural roar of rage has silenced the crowd. The top seed puts a forehand wide and the shout is so loud that the whole of Paris could hear it.
19:21 hrs IST: Muguruza's forehand hits the net and Serena manages the volley but the Spaniard finds the net. Vital game this for both players.
19:19 hrs IST: Late call from the umpire to shout OUT and Muguruza is not impressed. The crowd jeer and whistle but it is the right call. The crowd erupt when the Spaniard creams another forehand down the baseline. Serena again responds with an ace. Muguruza puts a backhand long and the American holds. Muguruza 4, Serena 3.
19:16 hrs IST: Superb exchange of ground strokes from both players but Serena puts the backhand long. The top seed roars in frustration and the Spaniard seals the game with a magnificent forehand crunched down the line. Muguruza 4, Serena 2.
19:15 hrs IST: Two double faults from Muguruza and she is in danger of losing the advantage. However, the Spaniard claws back as another unforced error results from Serena.
19:11 hrs IST: Serena under immense pressure as she is down three breaks. The American saves one with the ace and the second with the Muguruza backhand error. However, a double fault gifts the game to Muguruza. Serena 2, Muguruza 3.
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19:08 hrs IST: Another error from the Serena forehand. Can Muguruza close out this game? Yes, she can. Another forehand error from the American and she holds serve. Got out of trouble there. Serena 2, Muguruza 2.
19:06 hrs IST: Serena tries the drop shot but it finds the net. The top seed is employing a different game today. Muguruza tries to hold serve but a double-fault results in a deuce. This is turning out to be a long game.
19:03 hrs IST: Williams gets another break. Muguruza's forehand finds the net but Serena reaches it and capitalises on it with a smash. Can she convert the break point? No, she can't. The Spaniard saves it with an ace right down the centre.
19:00 hrs IST: Another backhand finds the net and Muguruza's serve under pressure. Serena increases it by blasting a forehand winner down the left side of the baseline and she has a break point. However, the Spaniard blazes a couple of ground strokes which stretch Serena and the point is saved.
18:59 hrs IST: Too much power is also proving to be a problem for Serena. A couple of errors from her forehand gifts Muguruza the momentum. Serena responds with the drop shot and the Spaniard reaches it but puts the backhand wide.
18:55 hrs IST: Another solid serve from Serena and she is aided by some errors from Muguruza's forehand. The Spaniard rips a backhand down the right baseline but the American's powerful ground strokes are too much to handle. Serena 2, Muguruza 1.
18:52 hrs IST: Bad start for Muguruza as she puts a backhand long. But, she rebounds in style and is about to close the game. However, the Spaniard has a weak second serve and Serena brutalises a back hand down the line. However, an unforced error from the Serena backhand results in the Spaniard holding her serve. Serena 1, Muguruza 1.
18:50 hrs IST: Impressive start from Serena. Solid serve and she holds to love to take the first game. Serena 1, Muguruza 0.
18:47 hrs IST: Both the players are warming up. Conditions are pretty chilly. Serena Williams to start serve.
18:41 hrs IST: Serena has a 3-1 head-to-head advantage against Muguruza. The American defeated Muguruza in the 2015 Wimbledon finals. However, the Spaniards only victory has come at the French Open, when she achieved a 6-2, 6-2 win in the second round in 2014.
18:35 hrs IST: Both players have endured contrasting journeys to the finals. Serena battled an adductor muscle injury in the semi-finals against Kiki Bertens and she looked out of sorts in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Muguruza defeated Sam Stosur in straight sets to storm to the final.
18:32 hrs IST: There is plenty at stake for both players, more so for Serena. She will be aiming to equal Steffi Graf's Grand Slam record of 22 titles and she will also be eyeing her fourth title at Roland Garros. For Muguruza, she will be looking to win her maiden Grand Slam title.
18:30 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the 2016 French Open women's singles final between top seed Serena Williams of the US and Garbine Muguruza of Spain. After a rain-ruined week, the tournament reaches its crescendo.
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Serena was thwarted in the final of the Australian Open in January by Angelique Kerber. After four months, the top-seeded American has a chance to equal Graf's record of 22 Grand Slam titles and cement her legacy as the best in the modern era.
It has not been an easy journey for Serena in the 2016 French Open. With the tournament wrecked by rain, Serena has endured some nervous moments. In the semi-final against Kiki Bertens, she was coping with an injury to her adductor muscle but managed to pull through. The French Open has not been kind to the American, who battled a viral condition in the previous edition.
Heading into the clash, Serena leads Garbine Muguruza 3-1 in head-to-head encounters, with their previous encounter being the 2015 Wimbledon championships where the American top seed crushed Muguruza. However, the Spaniards' only victory against Serena has come at the French Open in 2014 and she will be aiming for a repeat.
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Muguruza Gains Momentum In Final
Muguruza has grown with confidence as the tournament has progressed and her 6-2, 6-4 demolition of Samantha Stosur in the semi-final showed that she was gaining momentum in the final. Having previously defeated Serena at the French Open, she will be confident to stage a repeat.
Having become the first Spaniard since Conchita Martinez to reach the French Open final, she will be determined to go one better than her compatriot and etch her name on the trophy.