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Serena Williams wins the 2013 French Open
A victorious Serena Williams hold aloft the trophy, after winning the 2013 French Open, Saturday June 8, 2013. PHOTO/Michel Spingler/AP
Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 in a high-quality final to seal her second French Open title, 11 years after her first triumph at Roland Garros.
It was the 31-year-old American’s 16th Grand Slam title victory, taking her to within two of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who are tied for fourth on the all-time list.
And it underscored her near total domination of the women’s game, having won three of the last four Grand Slam titles — at Wimbledon, the US and French Opens — and reaching the quarter-finals at the Australian Open.
For Sharapova it was a 10th straight loss to her American nemesis dating back to 2004 when she defeated her in the Wimbledon final and the WTA Championships when she was just 17-years-old.
“It was very difficult today. After 11 years (since last win) and now I have 16 (Grand Slam titles),” said Williams, addressing the crowd in French.
“But I want to come back next year because I adore Paris and I adore the public here. I want to win here again.
“I spend a lot of time here (in Paris) … and I think I am becoming a Parisienne.”
Sharapova said: “I played a great tournament, but ran into a really tough opponent today. She has been playing so well this year and the whole of last year as well.
“But this court has brought me so many nice memories. Last year was so incredible to win and to be back as one of the last two players was great.”
Copyright 2013 AFP