Garbine Muguruza denies Serena a 22nd Grand Slam at French Open

There was yet another Spanish conqueror of the red clay courts of Roland Garros, the only difference was the winner wasn’t in the men’s category but in the female’s category where Garbine Muguruza denied world number 1 Serena Williams a record equaling 22nd Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old is Spain’s first female champion at Roland Garros since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1998.

Muguruza defeats Williams in straight sets to win first grand slam

Williams had reached the final despite reportedly struggling with a thigh problem, but she began in terrific form, moving freely as she made the early running.

It was all Muguruza could do to hang on, a forehand and an ace seeing off early break points, and it was Williams who faltered first by dropping serve with a double fault at 2-2.

In just her second Grand Slam final appearance ever, Muguruza scored multiple breaks on Williams and despite issues with double faults and her second serve in general, did enough to push Williams to the edge and ultimately claim the straight-set victory, 7-5, 6-4.
Muguruza never been past the fourth round at the Australian Open or even the second round of the US Open, but she now has a Grand Slam title to her name. She took advantage of a weak first serve from Williams and was particularly good in long rallies, outlasting Williams on multiple occasions.