Williams 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 Safarova
Williams wins 20th Grand Slam title
Williams was suffering from illness before final
Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna on BBC Radio 5 live:
"Serena is urging herself to stay focussed. She knows she has had this chance before and wasted it. She has to do better this time around."
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother Williams yelp means one thing - her tennis is improving. Safarova blows another 30-0 lead as Williams stretches this one out into deuce. The American nicks advantage before the 13th seed skittles a backhand wide - cue another loud Williams shriek. And another stern look in her direction from the umpire.
British doubles player Jamie Murray on Twitter:, external "Never understood why the female players continue to stand on baseline to return Williams serve. Equivalent of Andy doing same against Isner. Take steps back and give yourself more time to return the ball into play. More returns made = more chances to win more points."
Williams is going nuts at herself - shouting, screaming and swearing as she cajoles herself into action. The funny thing is that her anger increases when she wins the point. Four winning points without reply means she is about to explode as she trots over to her seat at the change. And that earns her a quiet word in the ear from the umpire for her troubles...
Image source, EPAWilliams has been the Harry Houdini of this year's Roland Garros, producing four escapology acts on her way to the final. Time for another in the match which matters the most?
Safarova leads 30-0 before Williams decides it is time to bring her A game back to the party. A wonderful sweeping backhand creeps past Safarova to set up break point, which the Czech coughs up with a double fault. A clear sign of nerves....
This is more like the Serena Williams that we all know. The powerful American responds to that early break with a routine hold to love. Boy, did she need that one....
Image source, Getty ImagesMatt on text: Safarova winning hearts and minds with a strong performance but Serena is too good and will prevail...I think?
Lucie Safarova is flying! The 13th seed is causing all sorts of problems for the world number one, who is tripping over a pile of errors. Williams has no reply to the Czech, who holds her serve to the delight of the Chatrier crowd.
Safarova might look a picture of concentration but she must be delighted inside to be still out on Court Philippe Chatrier at 16:50 local time. An hour ago she must have thought she would have been heading to Charles De Gaulle Airport in a taxi right about now.
Williams coasts into a 30-0 lead but conspires to toss the game in Safarova's favour with a pair of unforced error and a - yep, you've guessed it - double fault.
Safarova leaps into the air when Williams prods a backhand wide - the Czech leads in this final for the first time!
Remarkably Safarova's comeback means that the French Open women's singles final goes to a third set for only the third time in 15 years. Williams to serve first....
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid Rowberry:, external Just when you think this match was going through the motions, Safarova throws in a curveball. Great tennis!
Jack O'Regan:, external Safarova? Should be called Safar-doesn'tknowwhenit's-over. Am I right?
Leigh Baldwin:, external Best Ladies Final I have seen in any of the Grand Slams for ages Lucie Safarova is a true fighter
Alexander J Green:, external Yes! Well done Lucie!
Phew! If, like me, you need a moment to catch your breath back then this is it. Both players sit in their chairs - Williams almost slumped - wearing stony expressions.
Safarova, playing her first major final remember, shows the resilience of a Slam-winning veteran to shock Williams. The Paris crowd wanted more and now they've got their wish....
Image source, Getty ImagesFour set points and it only needs one. A popping serve out wide and Serena Williams buries her return into the gauze.
From a set and a double break down, Safarova has a shot at one of the great comebacks.
Two serves for Safarova to take this final into a third set. Here's the first...and she wins it. Williams goes long with a scrabbling forehand - Safarova is one point away from levelling....
Serena Williams lands with her first serve, extraordinary defence from Lucie Safarova, Serena Williams surely though with an easy, high bounce on the baseline. No! Williams hooks an easy backhand wide to give away the point.
Image source, ReutersWilliams needs a big serve - and that's what the American gets. Safarova sticks her strings in the way of a Williams bullet, but can't direct the ball to safety.
Now then Lucie Safarova - big serve out wide - Serena Williams hooks a return back. Wide! Just!
Image source, ReutersSafarova has ball in hand - this is the Czech's chance to put some distance between her and Williams. A wonderful rally eschews, ending when a rogue backhand from Safarova finds the tramlines.
The wheels are coming off the Williams express train. A tame backhand into the net and Safarova has a double mini-break and a 3-0 lead. Two Safarova serves to come...
Mini-break to Safarova! That's because Williams shoots herself in the foot again, with a seventh double fault of the match. Unbelievable.
Image source, AP