She staked a dominant claim to that as she cruised to victory over Coco Gauff with a 6-1, 6-3 win in the final at Roland Garros in a match where she was almost never seriously challenged.

While Iga Swiatek entered the final with a Grand Slam title in her trophy case already - and on a 34-match winning streak - the 21-year-old is still just coming into her own as one of the world's great players. That includes four runner-up finishes at Grand Slam tournaments, most recently against Bianca Andreescu at the 2019 US Open.The 2022 French Open women's final represented a moment for the sport that could be called a changing of the guard. 23 set a record for the professional era - Williams has come close to tying Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24. Since winning the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant for her most recent major singles title - No. That, like, literally could just change everything.' There is literally a point here, a point there, that could change the whole course of the match,' Williams said. She ended up with 19 unforced errors and only 15 winners. Repeatedly one sort of mistake or another undid Williams. Williams smiled ruefully and leaned over, resting and propping herself up with her racket.

In the next game, Williams gave away the opening point when, near the baseline, she failed to get out of the way of a shot from Rybakina that was flying long. Williams then was down 4-3 in the second set but pulled even again when Rybakina sailed a forehand well wide to get broken. But I'm just happy that I just managed.'Įvery time Williams appeared as if she might turn things around, she could not quite get the momentum fully in her favor.ĭown a quick break in the second set, she got to 2-all. It was amazing,' Rybakina said.Īs for the final game, when she served out by far the biggest win of her nascent career, Rybakina said: 'Of course I was nervous. She even produced the occasional return winner off Williams' speedy and spectacularly gifted serve, breaking her five times, including in the next-to-last game. She dealt with, but managed to steady, her nerves. This was just the seventh Grand Slam appearance for Rybakina - and the first time she ever made it so much as past the second round.Īgainst Williams, whose right thigh carried a heavy tape job, Rybakina hit big, flat serves. Rybakina is a 21-year-old from Kazakhstan who is ranked 22nd. But the American hasn't been past the fourth round in Paris since she was the runner-up in 2016. Williams has won the French Open three times. That's quite a blow to the tournament, its TV partners and tennis fans to see both gone from the field one after the other - and a week after Naomi Osaka pulled out, citing a need for a mental health break. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and coupled with 20-time Slam champ Roger Federer's withdrawal from the tournament Sunday, two of the sport's greatest and most popular players are done at the French Open.

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