(June 8th, 2013) -- If
Serena Williams wanted to get her hands on the French Open trophy again for the first time since she won it back in 2002, she likely knew defending champion
Maria Sharapova wouldn't just give it to her.
She would have to take it.
That became abundantly clear right from the start of their women's singles final when Sharapova fell behind 0-40 in her opening service game. Perhaps knowing an early break could spell disaster for her, Sharapova bombed down several big serves to secure the hold.
Sharapova, who is always intense on court, came out looking even more so as she appeared determined to win every point and yell out "Come on!" when she did. The Russian jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Williams soon got amped up herself, bellowing an even louder and angrier "Come on!" after winning a point. Williams soon broke back and then again it was Sharapova who faced increased pressure to hold her own serve. The battle was on and it was going to be a loud one.
Living with the knowledge that she had to be almost perfect against Williams, who held a 13-2 lifetime win/loss record against her, seemed at times more of burden for Sharapova to deal with than Williams' ferocious deliveries. Sharapova, who dropped serve at 2-3, managed to break back for 4-all with her own deep returns.
But it was in their extended rallies that Williams' newfound patience paid off more than her power. Despite having nine forehand errors at one juncture, Williams kept trusting her shot. Hitting a huge inside out forehand, Williams broke back for 5-4. She then closed out the set with yet another forehand winner.
Sharapova soon endured another torturous service game as the second set commenced. Having hit six unforced errors in the first set, Sharapova hit just as many as she fought off four break points for 1-0. How long could she hold off Williams who by this time had held 13 break points against her?
Williams, who felt the need to tighten up her long hair that was being blown about by the gusty conditions on court, soon tightened up her game as well. Chasing down what be would be Sharapova winners against anyone else, Williams crunched an aggressive return at break point to snatch a 2-1 lead.
Sharapova began to hold her own serve with more ease in the middle stages of the set. But so was Williams who soon won 83% of her first serve points. As aces began to fly off of Williams' racquet, Sharapova looked like still believed she could mount a comeback, but she may have been feeling inside that her hold on the title was slipping away.
Still, Sharapova fought on and made Williams keep holding her own serve. Sharapova navigated herself out of a tricky service game down 3-5 by hitting for the lines. The Russian held for 4-5 and at least made Williams think about serving out the match on the changeover.
But for Williams, there wasn't much thinking to do. She calmly stepped up to the line despite the nervous, excited chatter from the crowd surrounding her. And the she bombed an ace for 15-0.
Sharapova blasted a return to get to 15-all, but her short moment of hope was quickly extinguished by yet another ace from Williams. Soon it was championship point. 11 years of waiting came down to this moment yet Williams did not hesitate. She cracked yet another ace, her 10th, and with that she had come full circle.
Eleven years later, Williams was the champion of Paris once again 6-4, 6-4.
The victory made Williams, at age 31, the oldest winner of the French Open women's title in the Open era. With her 16th Grand Slam singles title, she now holds multiple singles and doubles titles at all four Majors.
Despite losing her crown, Sharapova remained smiling during the post-match interview knowing that she had given Williams all that she could.
'I've had many years of this tournament, many tough ones but last year was definitely very special," said Sharapova. "Disappointed this year but I love competing at this tournament and in front of this crowd. I can't wait to be back next year."
Williams, as she has done all event, gave her post-match victory speech in French. But later to NBC's Mary Carillo she remarked how special this French Open title was for her.
"Honestly I just feel so good. This was the only one that I haven't won more than one. So now I have multiple of every Major singles and doubles. And it just feels really good. I'm really really pumped."
For Serena Williams, who celebrated like she had just won her first ever title, eleven years certainly was worth the wait.