By Erik Gudris | Friday, June 5, 2015
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<img alt="Serena Williams" src="http://www.tennisnow.com/images/2015/June-2015/SerenaWilliamsFaceFrenchOpen.aspx" style="margin: 0px 15px 15px; width: 610px; height: 429px;" /></div>
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Can an ailing Serena Williams win again in Paris? Or will Lucie Safarova claim her first ever major title? <br />
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Photo Credit: Getty Images</p>
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<span style="margin-top:15px;font-size: small;">Once again, the French Open women's event proved nearly impossible to predict as multiple big names slid out of contention on the terre battue of Paris. But Saturday gives us yet more intrigue to ponder as a familiar face and a worthy newcomer to Grand Slam finals meet to decide this year's champion.<br />
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<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Roland Garros:</span> <a href="http://tennisnow.com/News/2015/June/Wawrinka-Defeats-Tsonga-to-Reach-Roland-Garros-Fin.aspx" target="_blank">Wawrinka Defeats Tsonga to Reach Men's Final</a></strong><br />
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<strong>(1) <a href="http://www.tennisexpress.com/category.cfm/tennis/Serena-Williams-tennis-pro" target="_blank">Serena Williams </a>vs. (13) <a href="http://www.tennisexpress.com/category.cfm/tennis/lucie-safarova" target="_blank">Lucie Safarova</a><br />
Williams leads H2H 8-0</strong><br />
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Quick quiz. When did Serena Williams say this? "I just never give up. I've been through so much in my life on the tennis court. I just keep fighting and keep doing the best I can."<br />
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If you guessed during these two weeks in Paris, you are wrong. In fact, Williams said this back in January just after surviving almost losing to Safarova in Hopman Cup. Williams was described as "sluggish" during that match. But that word has been typed and said a lot about Williams in many of her matches this season - matches she has all won except for one.<br />
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Williams, who said she has been dealing with the flu for most of the event, has not looked her best or played her best in Paris. As of this writing, Williams canceled practice on Friday and instead is resting while being seen by the tournament doctor. Yet, despite it all, Williams is back in the final where she will seek her 20th Grand Slam title. Williams proved again as she has throughout her career that even when not at 100%, it still takes a monumental effort to defeat her.<br />
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Several players had that opportunity. <strong>Victoria Azarenka</strong> led Williams in the second set of their third round encounter. <strong>Sloane Stephens</strong> was three points away from victory. And in the semifinal,<strong> Timea Bacsinszky</strong> was up a set and a break. But no matter how much Williams struggled against each, all three women did not finish the job and hence find themselves mulling what might have been. It would seem that Williams has one more performance left in her compelling "escape act" routine, but as previous French Open finals have proved over the years, just because you are the overwhelming favorite doesn't make you the automatic winner.<br />
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Will Lucie Safarova be overwhelmed by Williams or the occasion of playing in her first ever Grand Slam final? That's the biggest question to be answered by the 28-year-old lefty Czech who dethroned reigning champion <strong>Maria Sharapova</strong> en route to the final. Safarova, despite her big serve and forehand, has had a career full of almosts. Time and time again we watched the likable Czech be oh so close to beating an elite player only to end up shaking hands in defeat. Safarova was destined it seemed to be one of those "what might have been" players that never quite put it all together.<br />
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That all changed last year when Safarova made the Wimbledon semifinals. Playing with more consistency and enjoying herself more on court, Safarova is now finally finishing off those top players that once eluded her. Despite her experience though, contending for a major title is very much new territory for her.<br />
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Safarova admitted to nerves when trying to serve out <strong>Ana Ivanovic </strong>the first time late in the second set of their semifinal. She crossed that hurdle, but if she gets a similar chance against Williams, will nerves take hold again? Safarova has certainly proved she has the weapons and new confidence to beat almost anyone. But if she has a winning advantage against Williams, she has to, unlike her predecessors earlier in the event, finish strong and not let Williams resurrect herself from what looks like certain defeat. If Safarova can do that, her fairytale run in Paris will have a deserving happy ending.<br />
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No one, and in fact maybe not even Williams, will know exactly what to expect from herself when she steps onto court against Safarova. The World No. 1 could well summon up one last mental and physical push to earn her 20th major title. Or, if she falls behind early again, could find herself unable to pull off one last escape. Safarova will have to not only deal with whatever Williams brings to the match but also manage her own emotions and the reality that this could her best, and maybe only chance to win a major title. Safarova could well play the match of her life. But a lackluster Williams may just play good enough to be the champion of Paris for a third time.<br />
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In a tournament that's featured surprise after surprise, not having one more in the final would actually be - a surprise. </span><br />