French Open 2015 Women's Final: Early Wimbledon Predictions for Serena Williams
After seeing off the challenge of Lucie Safarova in the 2015 French Open final, Serena Williams will now turn her attention to Wimbledon.
Williams picked up her 20th Grand Slam title and third at Roland Garros, as she beat Safarova in a dramatic three-set clash 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2.
Roland Garros' official Twitter account captured her moment of triumph:
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The American struggled with illness in the days leading up to the final but showed the almost inhuman levels of fight and determination that have characterised her career to power through to victory.
Safarova played her part in the contest, making Williams work extremely hard for her victory, as she won the second set via a tiebreak and went a break up in the decider.
As indicated by ESPN Stats & Info, though, the result was, for all intents and purposes, won in the first set:
The New York Times' Ben Rothenberg sheds further light on why Williams is known as the ultimate closer in Grand Slams:
Wimbledon is up next on the calendar, and the 33-year-old will undoubtedly be optimistic heading into a tournament where she has tasted victory on five occasions.
As ESPN's Carl Bialik reports, a win at the All England Club would be her fourth consecutive Slam title and put her on the verge of history as she closes in on the all-time Slam record:
According to the New York Times' Christopher Clarey, Williams does not appear to be feeling any pressure to go for the calendar "Grand Slam":
Though she is currently enjoying an incredible run of form, Wimbledon could prove a tricky proposition for Williams.
The world No. 1 has suffered shock exits from the tournament in three of the last four years, twice in the fourth round and last year as early as the third.
Further, two-time Wimbledon champion and world No. 4 Petra Kvitova will be at home in her favourite tournament, and the Czech will surely prove a strong contender for the title.
French Open opponent Safarova could also be a threat, as she will be buoyed by her first appearance in a final and could look to go one step further at Wimbledon, having exited the tournament at the semifinal stage last year.
On her current form, an early exit seems unlikely, so Williams has an excellent chance of reaching the latter stages of the competition.
If Williams reaches the final, then expect her to win regardless of her opposition.
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