What started out as a stroll became quite a struggle for Serena Williams.

After going up by a set and two breaks in the French Open final, she double-faulted away that lead. Then, suddenly, she trailed in the third set.

As the tension thickened, Williams was warned by the chair umpire for an audible obscenity. She even felt the need to hit one shot left-handed.

Ah, but when Williams plays her best, no one is better. Putting aside a lingering illness, a mid-match lull and a feisty opponent, Williams staved off Lucie Safarova‘s upset bid to prevail 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2 and win the French Open for the 20th Grand Slam title of her career.

“When I was a little girl, in California, my father and my mother wanted me to play tennis. And now I’m here, with 20 Grand Slam titles,” Williams said in French. “This is very special for me. I haven’t always played very well here, but I’m really happy to win the 20th here.”

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