Serena Williams wins 16th GrandSlam title

The American, who won her first title at Roland Garros in 2002 against sister Venus Williams, out-hit Sharapova, who was looking to become thefirst woman since Justine Heninin 2004 to successfully defend her title in Paris. The defeat also means Sharapova will lose her world number two ranking to VictoriaAzarenka when the new rankings are released on Monday. But the day belonged to Williams. Sharapova had received a battering at the hands of Williams in the Madrid final justa few weeks ago and it looked as though the Roland Garros final could follow suit when the Russian quickly found herself three break points down in theopening game. Sharapova battled back with some quality serving to hold from 0-40 down before breaking the Williams serve in the second game to get off to a lightening quick start. For all the talk of Williams being the overwhelming favourite heading into the match, Sharapova clearly had a specific game plan and was determined to do anything she could to change a run of 12 straight losses to the Americanbefore this final. Unfortunately, it was a slow start from Williams and once she hit her stride in the third game, it took most of Sharapova's energy just to stick with the American. Williams broke back immediately in the third game, with a smash winner, before sneaking ahead with a second break in the fifth game when a brutal forehand return of serve forced a forehand errorfrom the Russian. Sharapova did get the break back in the eighth game, pushing Serena wide on four consecutive points and drawing the error from the American's forehand on all fourof them. But once again Williams broke again in the very next game, an angled forehand winner across court doing the damagethis time, before serving out the set at the second time of asking when Sharapova went wide with a backhand. The second set was slightly more straight forward, Williamsbreaking early (again in the third game), the American's relentless pressure eventuallyproving too much for Sharapova as she sent a forehand long down the line. And this time that one break proved enough. Although Williams threatened to break again in the ninth game, Sharapova held firm to deuce to force the American to serveit out. Credit should go to Sharapovawho produced a lesson of her own in displaying all the best battling tennis and "never give up" attitude she could muster. But in the end Williams was simply too strong and sealed victory with her 10th ace afterone hour and 46 minutes. What do you guys think?