It was power versus power in the women’s final, and after two sets of big hitting, it was Garbine Muguruza who would defeat Serena Williams 7-5, 6-4 to win the title at Roland Garros.

In the first set, both players were stingy on service games early, with each appearing to be focused and on their game. Both traded big, solid groundstrokes as they protected their offerings. But it was the Spaniard who struck first, breaking Williams’ serve to gain a 3-2 advantage. She would consolidate and gain momentum in the first set. But the veteran would strike back to even the set at 4-4 before succumbing to Muguruza once more.

However, in a pivotal game serving for the set at 6-5, Muguruza would be challenged by the 21-time major champion, who refused to relent without a fight. Serena would position herself for two break point opportunities, but the fourth seed was equally intense. She neutralized the game and then gained two set point chances. As play went back and forth, it was Muguruza finally capitalizing on her third set point opportunity of the game.

It appeared that the momentum had swung in favor of the 22-year-old as she immediately broke in the first game of the second set. But the veteran was quick to return the favor before Muguruza seized control once again. She broke serve to gain a 2-1 advantage as play continued in the set. Both players routinely held service until the ninth game, when Serena served to stay in the match down 3-5.

Muguruza looked to close out the match without the pressure of having to serve and quickly jumped out to two championship points. But the world No. 1 would not go easily and fought off those two match points, plus two more, before finally holding serve.

The match would ultimately fall on the serve of the Spaniard, who has admitted to being overcome with nerves in the past. However, this time in the match of her young career, Muguruza would win four straight points to win the French Open championship.  

The final point stunned the Spaniard, who looked to her coaching box to confirm she had won after a brilliant lob fell on the line. She then fell onto her back in celebration as Serena applauded her effort. Williams pointed to that shot afterwards, saying “Just goes to show you, you really have to play the big points well, and I think she played the big points really well.”

Muguruza was thrilled to win her first major title, explaining “I can't explain with words what this day means to me. I have grown up playing on clay, so for Spain, and for me, this is amazing.”

“Garbine played unbelievable,” Williams said. “The only thing I can do is just keep trying.” She will now turn her attention to the grass courts and Wimbledon as she continues to pursue Steffi Graf’s 22 career Grand Slam titles.

Tomorrow, it will be world No. 1 Novak Djokovic against world No. 2 Andy Murray for the men’s title at Roland Garros.