Image source, Getty Images

As Serena Williams continues to pose for photographs with this shiny little number, and considers how she will celebrate in the French capital tonight (possibly with some hot lemon), it is time for us to wave goodbye.

Or, more precisely, au revoir. Because we will be back tomorrow to discover who will join Serena at the top table of the champions' dinner. Either Novak Djokovic or Stan Wawrinka will be sat there. See you then!

As you now know that is Serena Williams's 20th Grand Slam win and strengthening her second place in the women's singles chart during the Open Era. She is now just two behind Steffi Graf's record....

Steffi Graf (22)

Serena Williams (20)

Chris Evert (18)

Martina Navratilova (18)

Image source, Getty Images

Serena Williams has smiled more in the past 10 minutes than she has done in the past two days. Those sickness blues seems just a distant memory as the 33-year-old American grins for a variety of poses with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. The flashbulb lights of the press pack are going ten to the dozen.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Twitter: , external Wow! Amazing @serenawilliams!! 20th Grand Slam title! What an inspiration! Congrats babe!!

Wonder if Lucie Safarova practised a winning speech? If she did then she might be able to recycle the best bits tomorrow.

That's because the Czech has another shot at Roland Garros silverware when she contest the women's doubles title.

Safarova and partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands came through a two-hour-10-minute semi-final against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka yesterday, and face Casey Dellacqua and Yaroslava Shvedova in the showpiece.

Serena Williams gets another chance to show off her more-than-passable French.

It is a dream for her, it is a magnificent occasion, congratulations to Lucie, which way is the swimming pool. You know the drill...

Image source, Reuters

Runner-up Lucie Safarova talking to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier: "Most importantly I had such great support from you fans. It is a great pleasure playing here and I promise I will work harder to get even better. Merci Paris!"

Ben Dalton:, external Congratulations Serena Williams. Such a strong woman, so deserving of her success. One of the biggest stars in sport

Ayo Obit: , externalWhat a Champion! 20 major titles! She will go for the SerenaSlam Mark II at @Wimbledon next month.

Lanre Adeola: , externalSerena is fond of two things: Giving hope to her opponents and dashing it while it's highest; and giving her fans blood pressure.

Runner-up Lucie Safarova talking to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier: "It has been a great two weeks here for me - so many emotions and great wins. Serena - you were amazing today, you're a great fighter, so congratulations."

Serena Williams is up and she hoists the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen aloft to a soundtrack of epic strings. Coach Patrick Mouratoglou claps away with a smile plastered over his chops, a star-spangled banner bobs up and down high in the cheap seats and now a French crowd stands for the American national anthem.

They don't do this lightly over there.

Image source, Getty Images

Martina Navratilova has come down to present the prizes and a reverential hush falls as some highlights from her two French Open titles, in 1982 and 1984, play out on the big screen.

First up is the runner-up Lucie Safarova...

Ooh la la! Paris is reputedly the city of love - and Serena Williams is feeling all slushy as she speaks to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"I'd like to thank all my friends. It has been a dream for me. Thank you everyone for all your support. I love you, I love you, I love you," gushes the 33-year-old American.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on Radio 5 live

"The gap between Serena Williams and the rest - even when she is playing at 80%, even with 34 years on the clock - is frightening at times."

Image source, Reuters

After taking the acclaim of Court Philippe Chatrier, Serena Williams gallops over to her box. The American's coach - and boyfriend - Patrick Mouratoglou is ready with open arms to give the champion a warm embrace.

Defeated Lucie Safarova sits ashen-faced on her chair, contemplating what might have been.

Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna on BBC Radio 5 live:

"What a great match from both players but Serena has come out as a true champion, fighting back from 2-0 down in the third. It has been a tremendous tournament for Lucie Safarova though."

All over! Serena Williams drops her racket and points both arms up to the Paris sky as her 20th Grand Slam title is confirmed.

The American was a break down in this decisive set, but shows all her experience to bounce back and crowbar her way into three championship points.

The first goes begging when Safarova digs deep with a thumping serve. But the plucky Czech's resistance does not last much longer, swatting a forehand return into the net.

Image source, Getty Images

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live

"There have been so many twists and turns from 4-1 Williams in second set. Lucie Safarova found some form playing with real abandon from that situation, but it was unlikely that she could keep that up across the third set as well. She has to hold serve next."

Alistair Bruce-Ball
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"Here is a stat for you, Lucie Safarova is attempting to win a Grand Slam title for the first time in 40 appearances at the big four events. Marion Bartoli's win at Wimbledon 2013 was in her 47th Grand Slam, Jana Novotna's debut success at 1998 Wimbledon was in her 45th Grand Slam. But Safarova is next on the list. If she can win here..."

Image source, Getty Images

If Williams holds this serve then she is just one game from the match. Again.

The pressure builds at 30-30. Williams knows she needs to produce with this next delivery. And she does! A big serve from the American cannot be returned by Safarova, who then clubs a weary forehand into the net on the decisive point.

Safarova must hold here or her hopes of a maiden Slam win will go up in smoke...

Adam Poots: , externalSerena Williams is not winning any fans here. Her attitude is a real disappointment.