Serena Williams receives the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy after her victory over Lucie Safarova in the French Open final in Paris
Williams claimed her 20th Grand Slam singles title with her win over Safarova in the French capital
Williams inspects the latest addition to her extensive trophy collection as she claimed the French Open title for the third time
Serena
Williams won a third French Open title and her 20th grand slam after
she beat Lucie Safarova in three sets to be crowned champion at Roland
Garros.
Williams
had been hampered by illness in the lead-up to the Paris showpiece but
the world number one showed her mettle to hold off a late Safarova
fightback and win 6-3 6-7 (2/7) 6-2.
It
means Williams, who also won the Australian Open in January, is now
only two short of Steffi Graf's 22 major titles and four away from
Margaret Court's all-time best 24.
Serena Williams celebrates after winning the French Open final, the 20th Grand Slam singles title of her career
Williams celebrates after winning a point during the final at Roland Garros. The American won 6-3 6-7 6-2 in just over two hours
Williams celebrates after seeing another point go in her favour during the opening set
While Williams was playing her 24th major final, it was Safarova's first, and the Czech pushed her world number one opponent to the limit in an enthralling contest.
'It was a very complicated match,' Williams said.
'Lucie was a magnificent opponent for me, she was very aggressive.
'I was a set up and a break and I got nervous but I came through and I so happy to be part of history, winning my 20th grand slam.
'I can't believe I have won my 20th here in Paris on this court. It is very special.'
All the talk in the build-up to the match had been about Williams' health after the American spluttered her way through a semi-final victory against Timea Bacsinszky and then skipped practice and press duties on Friday to recuperate in her Parisian apartment.
The world number one said she was suffering from severe symptoms of flu and she took a bathroom break before play even started, asking to leave the court for a short time after the knock-up.
Williams stretches to play a backhand during the first set of the final in Paris. The 33-year-old soon stamped her authority on the contest
Williams uses a towel packed with ice to cool down during a break between games as temperatures soared in the French capital
Safarova reflects on a lost point during the opening set of the contest at Roland Garros
The Czech player rallied during the second set, breaking Williams on two occasions to give herself hope of a surprise victory
Williams, who had previously claimed the French Open title in 2002 and 2013, celebrates with a clenched fist after clinching a point
Czech Safarova, in her first French Open final, slides to return the ball in the corner of the court
Safarova, who was appearing in her first Grand Slam final, serves to Williams during the match
Williams serves against a backdrop of packed stands and deep blue skies at Roland Garros
Williams and Safarova line up either side of the net for the traditional pre-match photograph and coin toss ahead of the final in Paris
Williams unleashed another stupendous return to break again and serve for the match at 6-5 but Safarova had now found her rhythm and she hit back immediately to force an unexpected tie-break.
A combination of Williams' unforced errors and some brilliant defence gave Safarova four set points and she converted at the first opportunity to force a decider.
The momentum was now with Safarova, who was faster in her movement and more confident in her shot-making, and another break fired her into a 2-0 lead at the start of the third.
It was now Safarova's turn to lose her nerve, however, as a double fault gifted a break back to Williams, who seized the opportunity, winning five games in a row to turn the set on its head.
One game away for a second time, Williams made no mistake as Safarova failed to retrieve a booming forehand and the American wrapped up another grand slam triumph in two hours and one minute.