Spectacular Serena sinks Sharapova

Reuters: The look in her eyes said ‘don’t mess with me’ and no one dared to cross Serena Williams during an unforgettable French Open fortnight when the American proved she really, really wanted’ the title ‘more than anyone else’.

Just how much she wanted it was clear for all to see when at 5:02 p.m. local time on Saturday the world number one fired a lethal 198-kph ace, tossed her racket, sunk to her knees and arched back to let out a primal roar that went on and on and on.

The guttural howl that marked her 6-4, 6-4 win over 2012 champion Maria Sharapova was so loud that perhaps even her 71-year-old father Richard could hear it back in the United States. As his youngest daughter added more silverware to the family’s overflowing mantelpiece, a 16th singles grand slam trophy no less, Serena was left to reflect on a journey 11 years in the making. When she hoisted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup for the first time in 2002, little did she know she would have to wait until 2013 to experience the joy of winning the clay court major again. “After 11 years it’s incredible. I want to come back here and win again. I think I’m Parisienne,” a delirious Serena told the crowd in French after becoming the oldest woman to win the title since tennis went professional in 1968.