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French Open final between Serena and Muguruza gets underway

French Open final between Serena and Muguruza gets underway

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Serena Williams of the US (left) and Garbine Muguruza of Spain pose before they compete in semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, on Saturday, June 4, 2016. Photo: Reuters

PARIS:  The French Open final between top-ranked Serena Williams and fourth-seeded Garbine Muguruza has started. Under cloudy skies and in a damp atmosphere, Williams won the first point of the match — as Muguruza sent a backhand long — and held her serve at love. This is the second time that Muguruza and Williams are playing each other at Roland Garros. Two years ago, Williams was upset 6-2, 6-2 in the second round by her Spanish rival. At age 34, the American is bidding to earn her 22nd major championship and equal Steffi Graf's Open-era record. She is the defending champion in Paris. The 22-year-old Muguruza is playing in her second Grand Slam final after losing to Serena in the 2015 Wimbledon final.