Serena Williams v Garbine Muguruza In 2016 French Open Final

by Staff | June 3rd, 2016, 11:28 pm
  • 51 Comments

World No. 1 Serena Williams and Spain’s Garbine Muguruza advanced to the French Open final on Friday, putting Williams one match away from what has become a difficult-to-obtain 22nd career Grand Slam title.
ADHEREL
Williams ground out a 7-6(7), 6-4 win against a confident unseeded opponent in the Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman was on a 12-match winning streak entering the contest.

“I think she obviously has a lot more confidence,” Serena said afterwards. “She’s had a couple big wins in this tournament. Being in the semifinals of a Grand Slam and having nothing to lose just really makes a big difference.”

Williams was forced to save a set point in the first set against the first Dutchwoman in the French Open semis since 1971.


“The first set wasn’t easy,” Serena said. “I needed to play better because she was playing very well, but I’m very happy to win today.”

Bertens broke serve again to start the second set before Williams righted the ship to advance to the final.

Muguruza in her semi beat Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-4, and has not dropped a set since the first round.

The No. 4 seed in topping the No. 21 seed became the first Spaniard to reach the final since 2000 (Conchita Martinez).

“This was a bit difficult to play because I wanted to win so much against Samantha,” Muguruza said. “She’s such a great tennis player. I succeeded finally, so it’s a dream come true. I really feel good.”

Mugruza trails Williams 1-3 in their head-to-head but beat her at Roland Garros in 2014.

“I think Muguruza has been playing really well,” Serena said. She’s been playing a really aggressive game and going for her shots. Regardless, I think it will be a good match. I mean, last time we played here in France she was able to win the match.”

WTA NOTES
* Williams leads all-time head-to-head 3-1… All previous meetings have been at Grand Slam level.
* This will be the pair’s second meeting at Roland Garros, after Muguruza defeated the World No.1 Williams in 2014 for the loss of just four games.
* Serena’s three victories came at 2013 and 2015 Australian Open and 2015 Wimbledon.
* This will be the second career meeting in a final after 2015 Wimbledon (also the last time they met) and second career meeting on clay after 2014 Roland Garros.
* All matches between the pair have been won in straight sets with no tiebreaks.


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51 Comments for Serena Williams v Garbine Muguruza In 2016 French Open Final

AndyMira Says:

As much as i want to see this match,i’m also dreaded the shriek fest that sure come with it..ishh!


Margot Says:

British TV was showing Serena match. Anyone see Muguruza v Stosur? How’s she looking?


AndyMira Says:

@Margot..Muguruza was awesome against stosur last night..she’s very aggressive and going for her shots..and the last time she and serena played in Roland garros..mugu won!So..it’s going to be an interesting match today..


Margot Says:

AndyMira, thanks for that feedback. Looking forward to the match. Serena certainly has had big lapses in the matches I’ve seen and Bartoli seemed to think she has an injury. Expecting Muguruza to get a set at least….


AndyMira Says:

@Margot..yeah..let’s see whether Muguruza can hold her nerves in a big stage..last time she played in final..she was a disappointment..and serena..let’s see whether she’s also can hold her nerves..last time she played in final..she’s stuttered!Who will melt first?Let’s find out..


nits Says:

Want Muguruza to win Fingers crossed


Van Persie Says:

Go Garbine!


Dave Says:

AndyMira,

I am watching the match with no volume right now. Problem solved. No shreik fest, because I can’t hear a thing.


Margot Says:

Hope all you people who are so sniffy about the WTA are watching this amazing power, literally, tennis. So astonishing to see Serena matched blow for blow.


BBB Says:

Muguruza looks leaner to me. Not the scary lean that Ivanovic did, but an extremely fit, muscular leanness.

I want Serena to get 22, but I like Muguruza a lot.


calmdownplease Says:

there’s a tennis match on?

;)


Dave Says:

I was hoping for Muguruza since the beginning of the tournament. I hope she can finish this match in style.


AndyMira Says:

Dave..good for you!They’re making a gooooood rap song atm..one is in high note and the other a little bit deep in bass..hope Kanye or Drake can figure out something from it!Btw..what do you think so far dave?Is upsets in the making?And is it because of nervousness that she lost a set now?


Dave Says:

Andy Mira,

If nerves weren’t involved, Muguruza has been the better player on clay all tournament. She is the better player of the 2 as far as form goes in the past 2 weeks. So she should win. But it will be hard to hold it together at the end and not let Serena back in the match.


AndyMira Says:

yes dave..i think Mugu will win today..she’s so awesome and so composed so far..


Van Persie Says:

No more GS titles for Serena ? hehe. Garbine is amazing


Dave Says:

Serena Williams just saved 4 match points. I really hope Muguruza can serve it out after that letdown.


BBB Says:

Wow. What a game.


Anto Says:

Muguruza had 4 championship points but couldn’t convert them. Sensing a breakdown here.
Hope i am wrong.


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
you called it prematurely..


Van Persie Says:

Congrats Garbine ;)


Anto Says:

Yeah..


Anto Says:

Congrats Murguruza


AndyMira Says:

Okie..sorry serena lost today..she’ll get her 22th in the future..you’ll see..congrats to ALL muguruza fan..including me!he he..


Margot Says:

fantastic win! Well done to Garbine :) Vamos, Spain got an RG champ after all.


BBB Says:

Yes. And a bit of joy for Venezuelans as well.


Wog Boy Says:

and Basque too..


Van Persie Says:

and for Steffi :)


Wog Boy Says:

and Margaret Court


Van Persie Says:

genau WB :)


BBB Says:

Ha! I like Steffi, but I do think her totals were inflated by Seles getting stabbed. Part of the reason I’d like to see Serena equal/surpass.


Van Persie Says:

Steffi got golden slam in 1988. Serena never made it


BBB Says:

Sure. But this isn’t a GOAT discussion – it’s a totals discussion.


Van Persie Says:

Well, totals is still 22 to 21 :)


BBB Says:

Yes it is!


BBB Says:

What’s particularly amazing about Muguruza’s win is that episode in Indian Wells, where during a coaching timeout she said she didn’t want to be out there. Maybe she’ll let us know what changed for her.


Margot Says:

And fantastic, inspired pick from Nikola who wins our WTA challenge bracket. Congratulations.
Wowzer!


jane Says:

congrats to garbine – vamos!


Van Persie Says:

BBB,

Tbh, I do not care much about Steffi…somehow I compare Serena with Roger. Same obsession for records.


Dantheman Says:

With Muguruza beating Serena today, the trend for beating Serena in slam finals is becoming pretty clear. Serena is 2-6 in finals when her opponent wins the first set. So, win the first set, and Serena will not win. These 2 finals losses in a row here show that her aura of invincibility in the late rounds in slams is starting to disappear and the other players are raising their games against her.


Okiegal Says:

Congrats to all Mugu fans especially AndyMira…..She was the stud today…..and if anyone had to beat my girl Serena, I’m good with her being the one…..representing Spain…..we all know how I feel about players from SPain! Good job Garbine! I got to hear the Spanish anthem after all!

VAMOS!!


Giles Says:

Well done Garbine. Great win!
Even Rafa is pleased! Lol


Dantheman Says:

BBB, I agree that Steffi’s totals were inflated because of the Seles stabbing, but Serena has also benefitted from her contemporaries retiring very early in their careers (Henin and Clijsters, both younger than Serena, and Jennifer Capriati who was older). Other than Sabatini, no main rival for Graf retired early, so for sure Serena’s slam wins are much, much higher than they would have been. Henin had a 4-3 record against Serena in slams, and although Serena was 2-1 against Clijsters in slams, Clijsters came close to winning all 3 matches. Also, for Navratilova and Evert, they both stayed playing until their late 30s, so they both kept each other from winning more than the 18 they each won.


AndyMira Says:

Thanks okie..Garbine also got a very good attitude isn’t she?Hope she will not get carried away too much with this win..and not drowned like other champions who get their first slams and lost their way soon after..


jalep Says:

Garbine Muguruza! That was a great match. Disappointing for Serena, no doubt, but what a happy day for Garbine, vamos!

Nikola picked the right winner and final. Wins the bracket by a landslide…congrats, Nikola!


BBB Says:

Dantheman, I take your point, but we’re talking about an unnatural event that intervened, and the person who stabbed Seles was a Graf fan. His purpose was to prevent Seles from beating Graf. It’s in a different category for me.


Margot Says:

Wow! A first time RG finalist beat a player who was the overwhelming favourite! It’s an omen I tell you, an omen!
@tonguefirmlyincheek ;)


django Says:

Could be, Margot.
Novak has to try to steal this one, this year. IMO


jalep Says:

Still time to get a coupon πŸŽ°πŸ€‘


Willow Says:

Well played Garbine, always great to see a new GS champion ….


Daniel Says:

Mugu played inpressively. She was htting deep and dtl a lot. Serves aces down break points, basically okayes the big points better. Serena had several chances but Mugu wasn’t to be denied. Well deserved victory.

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