What a moment. Chills. #RG16
2016 Women’s French Open Final Results
Garbine Muguruza is the 2016 French Open winner, denying Serena Williams of Grand Slam No. 22.
The 22-year-old captured her first career major victory, winning 7-5, 6-4. Here’s how it went down:
First Set
The challenger has taken the early lead.
After a back-and-forth, unpredictable first set that saw each play grab a break, Muguruza broke again at 5-5 thanks to this backhand:
Et hop une accélération en revers long de ligne pour Muguruza #RG16 t.co/M6BU0E6Prp
Serena looked to break right back, but Muguruza saved a pair of break points and ultimately took the first set, 7-5, winning with yet another powerful backhand:
That backhand though! 🙌 1st set to the Spaniard 7-5. #RG16 t.co/lM7AGRHQb3
Second Set
It was more excellent, exhilarating play from both women in the second set, but on this day, Muguruza was simply better than one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Muguruza grabbed an early break and kept her composure every time Serena tried to battle her way back. Williams fought off four championship points late in the match, but Muguruza responded by holding serve on the very next game to win her first major.
Here’s her winning point:
Game. Set. Match MUGURUZA! Say hello to our newest #RolandGarros champion. 👋 t.co/X8PfeZ7S8V
As just 22, Muguruza has a blindingly bright future.
2016 Women’s French Open Final Preview
This is the second time Serena and Muguruza have met at Roland Garros.
The last meeting went quite unexpectedly, as the then 20-year-old Spaniard shocked the World No. 1 with a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the second round of the 2014 French Open:
Things have worked out pretty well for both since. Muguruza made it to the final at Wimbledon in 2015 (where she lost to Serena), won her first WTA title at the China Open and has climbed to No. 4 in the world.
Serena, meanwhile, has widened the gap between her and everyone else, winning four of seven majors ever since that upset defeat.
This feels a little bit like the present vs. the future. Will this be the moment Muguruza takes the final step into stardom, or will the legendary veteran capture Grand Slam title No. 22, tying her with Steffi Graf for the most in Open Era history?
Either way, it should be a good one.
