Serena Williams on verge of tying Steffi Graf
PARIS – Two years ago at the French Open, Serena Williams was stunned in the second round by a 20-year-old opponent participating in only her 13th match at a major tournament.
That 6-2, 6-2 loss to Garbine Muguruza was, and remains to this day, the most lopsided defeat of Williams’ 338-match Grand Slam career.
So guess who the No. 1-ranked Williams will face in the final at Roland Garros on Saturday as she attempts to earn her 22nd major championship and equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record?
Muguruza, of course.
“I learned so much from that match. I hate to lose, but when I do, I hope it was worth it,” Williams said. “That match was definitely one of those that was kind of needed and worth it.”
Since that setback, Williams has won 47 of 50 matches at majors, collecting four trophies along the way to boost her total to 21. Only Graf and Margaret Court, with 24, own more.
Williams moved one victory from Slam title No. 22 – including her second in a row at the French Open – by getting past a poor start and beating Kiki Bertens 7-6 (7), 6-4 in the semifinals Friday. The No. 4-seeded Muguruza advanced by eliminating 2011 U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur 6-2, 6-4.
“She and I are players who like dictating the game,” Muguruza said about herself and Williams. “There will be moments when she’ll be dominating, and maybe at times, I will be dominating. I think I can be a tough opponent, too.”
It’s also a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final, which Williams won in straight sets.
Djokovic, Murray set for final
Novak Djokovic is on the precipice of history once again at the French Open, reaching the final for the fourth time in five years at the only major tournament he hasn’t won.
In addition to trying to complete a career Grand Slam, Djokovic will be hoping to accomplish something even more rare – winning a fourth consecutive major title, something that hasn’t been done by a man in nearly a half-century.
On court for the fourth straight day at rain-logged Roland Garros, Djokovic raced through his semifinal Friday with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 13 Dominic Thiem of Austria.
“Best performance of the tournament,” declared Djokovic, an 11-time major champion.
After a welcome day of rest, he will face Andy Murray in Sunday’s final. Murray became the first British man since 1937 to get that far in Paris, ousting defending champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
“I’m extremely proud,” said Murray, his voice wavering during an on-court interview. “I never expected to reach the final here.”
Either No. 1 Djokovic or No. 2 Murray will be a first-time French Open champion.
Hingis, Paes complete career slams
Martina Hingis and Leander Paes each completed a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles by winning the French Open final against Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 on Friday.
It was the 10th mixed doubles title at a major for India’s Paes, the fifth for Switzerland’s Hingis.