World number one Serena Williams secured the French Open title this afternoon with a 6-4 6-4 victory over reigning champion Maria Sharapova.

Williams threatened to break Sharapova in the opening game of the first set, but the current champion fought back from 0-40 down to hold, before breaking Williams to move 2-0 ahead. The American broke straight back, however, before levelling at 2-2 with a powerful hold.

Three more breaks of serve arrived in the opening set, but it was Williams that took advantage, breaking at 4-4 before claiming the opening set on serve.

Williams had five break points on Sharapova's opening service game of the second set, but the Russian held on to move 1-0 ahead. The American did break at the second time of asking, however, to move 2-1 ahead in the second set.

Sharapova continued to struggle with the power of her opponent in the early stages of the second, but she did manage to hold to remain a break and set behind at 3-2. Williams continued to serve well, however, holding at 4-3 to move one game away from the title.

Sharapova did manage to hold at 3-5, but it only delayed the inevitable as Williams served it out in style to secure her 16th Grand Slam title.