Serena Williams gained a dramatic French Open closing towards Czech 13th seed Lucie Safarova to say her 20th Grand Slam title.

The American, ranked number one, needed two hours and one minute to win 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 at Roland Garros.

Safarova, enjoying her first Grand Slam remaining, led by way of a break within the decider however Williams gained the Closing six games.

The 33-year-previous becomes the third participant – male or female – to win 20 major singles titles.

Handiest Germany’s Steffi Graf on 22 has received more since the open technology began in 1968, with Australia’s Margaret Court collecting 24 between 1960 and 1973.

Victory at Wimbledon in July would see Williams grasp all 4 main titles immediately, having managed the feat already in 2003.

There had been doubts over whether or not the 2002 and 2013 French Open champion would even make it to Court Docket for Saturday’s closing after a debilitating bout of illness.

Williams had visibly struggled in Thursday’s semi-remaining,

coughing and having a look as regards to tears, after which cancelled all media commitments, Handiest practising two hours prior to the ultimate.

The Rest gave the impression to have had the desired effect as she took the first set with a break in sport four and powered on within the second.

She had gained all eight fits she had played towards Safarova and, serving at 4-1, 40-15 within the 2nd set, there appeared no possibility of the American faltering.

Then Again, three double faults within the sport introduced Safarova rapidly back into the contest, and the Czech saved herself alive once more four games later with a backhand winner.

Safarova, 28, used to be now much the sharper with regards to footwork and he or she dominated the tie-ruin sooner than moving in advance with a wreck firstly of the decider.

Williams was once now struggling to maintain calm, screaming at herself after mistakes and selecting up a warning for her language from the umpire, but she proved once once more why she is the undisputed number one.

Safarova double-faulted for the first time within the match to convey Williams stage at 2-2 and the top seed ratcheted up the drive.

Another heavy return helped her spoil for 4-2 and a left-passed forehand followed in the next game as Williams reached for each shot within the book, sealing victory together with her seventh damage of the suit.