Super Serena Williams seals 20th grand slam
The American battles Safarova, and illness, to take her third French Open title convincingly
Serena Williams won her 20th grand slam title and third French Open crown at Roland Garros on Saturday, clawing her way back from a break down in the last set to defeat Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2.
In what was a disjointed affair, the 33-year-old American was coasting to a straight-sets win, a set and 4-1 up against the Czech 13th seed, playing in her first grand slam final at the age of 28.
But a combination of serving woes for Williams and some top play from Safarova forced a third set, the fifth of the tournament for the American.
I played very well and she was a magnificent opponent for me. She was very aggressive and I was a bit nervous at a set and a break up
She fell 0-2 down in that, but recovered her composure in the nick of time to rattle off six games in a row to seal the title. With 20 grand slam titles Williams is now second on the Open-era list, two shy of Steffi Graf.
She is also now halfway to winning all four grand slam titles, in the same year.
For Safarova, who reached the final without dropping a set, the consolation will be her debut in the world top 10, at number seven. And she has the women's doubles final to follow today, playing with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
"I played very well and she was a magnificent opponent for me," Williams said.
