WTA French Open 2016 Finals Wrap-up

Coming in as the fourth seed and playing great tennis, I picked Garbine Muguruza to face Serena Williams, the number one seed, in the Finals of the WTA French Open 2016. Though I am high on her potential, I did not have her winning this match. But, she did it, and earned it with her customary baseline to baseline prowess.

To win the French Open, Muguruza outclassed Samantha Stosur in the semifinals, after beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in Round 4 and Shelby Rogers in the Quarterfinals. Rogers is one of many up-and-comers who have pushed their names into the discussion. She beat three seeded players before losing to Mugurza in the quarterfinals. 

Another up-and-comer is Kiki Bertens, who defeated four seeded players before losing to Serena in the semifinals. This not to say these two rising stars will consistently challenge for titles. They still have a dozen or so players -- in the under 25 year-old range – who, on most days, will defeat them. In order for Bertens and Rogers to hurdle over them, they will have to show the consistency needed.

The loss by Madison Keys to Bertens really helps one to understand the wonder that is Garbine Muguruza. The expectations are just as high on her as it is for Keys, Eugenie Bouchard and Sloane Stephens. Mugurza has managed to not only win her first major, she has shown the consistency and focus I believe can propel her to six or more major titles in her career.