Garbine Muguruza stuns Serena Williams to claim first Grand Slam title in Paris

Spain’s world number four - her country’s first finalist at Roland Garros since Conchita Martínez in 2000 - avenged her loss to the world number one in last year’s Wimbledon final with an impressive display in a high-quality final of potent hitting from both women on Philippe Chatrier.

"I'm so excited playing a final of a Grand Slam against one of the best players," said Muguruza who appeared to be in a state of disbelief as she reflected upon a career-changing moment.

"Serena is a very powerful player, and I tried to fight as much as I can. All the matches I play against her help, that's for sure.

"This is the tournament in Spain, clay and Rafa (Nadal).."

Prior to this contest, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario was Spain's last French Open winner when she defeated Monica Seles in 1998.

It was 22-year-old Muguruza’s first Grand Slam success and keeps Williams waiting on 21 Grand Slams since she lifted Wimbledon last summer, a title she will try to defend later this month in London as she finally attempts to level Graf's haul set in the 1980s and 1990s.

Williams was looking to become the oldest champion at Roland Garros at the age of 34 and only the fourth player in the Open era to win four or more titles in the French capital.

But she was guilty of missing too many shots in the key moments, and was let down by a first serve that seemed to desert her under pressure.

In the fourth game, which lasted nine minutes, Muguruza saved a break point with an unreturnable forehand, then a second with an ace before breaking in the next.

An ugly double fault earned Muguruza the first break of the match, which she consolidated by holding serve in the sixth game with a flat forehand winner down the line to lead 4-2.

Williams stepped into the court and put Muguruza on the back foot, breaking back for 4-4 when Muguruza sent a backhand long.

An unreturnable crosscourt forehand gave Muguruza another break. Serving for the set, she showed early nerves in the 12th game before converting her third opportunity with a thumping backhand winner.

A weak Williams backhand put Muguruza up a break in the second, only for the Spaniard to serve consecutive double faults as the American broke back for 1-1, but she unleashed another forehand down the line to regain the advantage and held for 3-1.

Williams did superbly well to extend the final to the 10th game of the second set having survived a four match points, but she sent a ball long from mid-court to bring up another three match points for Muguruza in the next.

She needed only one of them as a lob landed just inside the baseline before falling to the deck as Williams was forced to accept another second place following her final defeat to Germany's Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open in January.