- Views 0
- Likes 0
Serena Williams won her second French Open title today, exactly eleven years to the day from winning her first (over sister Venus in 2003) with a 6 – 4, 6 -4 victory over last year’s champion, Maria Sharapova. Serena is just the most dominant athlete in women’s tennis. No doubt about it. Sharapova was good, Serena was great! Williams sealed the deal in the second set with an ace, her 10th of the match. She has a French coach (also her boyfriend) and maintains an apartment in Paris now. She gave her acceptance speech in French (as she has been doing after each of her victories at this year’s tournament) and seems to have endeared herself to the French crowd. In year’s past, they have not really pulled for her. This victory surely erases the bitter taste of last year’s first round loss for Serena. She is now the holder of 16 Grand Slam titles and at the age of 31, appears to be as strong as ever, perhaps in the best shape of her life. She is the clear favorite headed into Wimbledon in a couple of weeks. I am not much of a Sharapova fan, so I was glad to see Serena get the victory. Maria was certainly more gracious today in defeat than I have seen her be before, perhaps realizing she was just over matched as Serena has owned her in their most recent head to head encounters.
The Bryan Brothers of the USA won their record setting 14th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating Llodra and Mahut of France in two tough sets. Also, Nadal, who will face fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in tomorrow’s men’s final (Rafa will be going for French Open title #8!), announced he would not play in next week’s Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. This tournament is a tune up on grass courts before Wimbledon. That leaves Roger Federer as the favorite to win his 6th title at Halle.
Should Nadal win tomorrow (and I do expect him to do so), he will surpass Vilas and Federer for most career wins at the French Open. Coverage will begin at 9:00 am EST on NBC.
