(CNN) -- Serena Williams powered her way to the French Open title Saturday with a straight sets victory over defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia in a compelling final.
The top seed from the United States ran out a 6-4 6-4 winner in one hour 46 minutes to clinch her 16th grand slam crown.
Sharapova put up a brave fight but could not prevent Williams from claiming her first French Open title since her maiden triumph in 2002.
The 26-year-old had not beaten her American opponent since 2004 and despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first set, then found Williams an irresistible force.
Read: Top two in the world to contest French final
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after getting match point against David Ferrer of Spain during the men's singles final match of the French Open at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, on Sunday, June 9. Nadal won 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
The French Open: Best photos
Serena Williams' rise to greatness
Radwanska: Playing Serena was tough
Serving for the match, Williams took the first of two championship points, clinching it with a thunderous ace, her 10th of a gripping final.
"I was so nervous, I'm just happy to be champion," she told the capacity crowd on the Philippe Chatrier Court, speaking in French.
"I had a dream when I was 10 years old that I would win the title here and talk to the crowd in French," she admitted after lifting the Suzanne Lenglen trophy for the second time.
"I played a great tournament but ran into a really tough champion today," said the beaten Sharapova, whose victory over Sara Errani of Italy in last year's final completed her career grand slam.
Williams, who has been in superlative form on the Roland Garros clay, crushed Errani in just 46 minutes in the semifinals to serve notice of her intent ahead of the title match.
But Sharapova, herself an impressive winner over Victoria Azarenka in the last four, made a fine start to break early and take the initiative.
Read: Nadal edges Djokovic in epic semi
Tennis: Sloane Stephens stuns Serena
How do you beat Serena Williams?
Serena Williams: 'I'm in awe' of Venus
Williams, who has lost just three matches since her upset defeat to Virginie Razzano in the first round of the French Open last year, immediately hit back and led 4-3 with a second break of Sharapova's service.
World No.2 Sharapova refused to bow and claimed Williams' service to level at 4-4 before she was broken for a third time.
Williams served it out to go a set to the good in 51 minutes and a single break of service in the second in the end proved decisive.
It was her 31st straight win and with it Williams has moved to within two of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who are tied fourth in the all-time list of grand slam singles titles winners.
At 31 years and 247 days, she is oldest woman in the Open Era to win the French Open title, the previous mark held by Evert since 1986.
She has now won three of the last four grand slams, a run interrupted by a shock defeat to compatriot Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Rafael Nadal bids for his eighth men's title at the French Open when he plays fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in Sunday's final and will start heavy favorite after his epic semifinal win over No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Loading weather data ...
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nadal poses for photos with the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy.
Spain's Rafael Nadal serves to Spain's David Ferrer during the men's singles final match of the French Open at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Sunday, June 9.
Ferrer plays a forehand to Nadal on June 9.
Serena Williams of the United States celebrates match point against Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday, June 8. Williams won 6-4, 6-4.
Williams celebrates with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy following her victory on June 8.
Williams returns a shot to Sharapova on June 8.
Sharapova returns to Williams on June 8.
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan pose with the trophy after winning the men's doubles final against Michael Llorda and Nicolas Mahut of France on June 8. The twins won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).
Michael Llorda consoles Nicolas Mahut after their defeat in the men's doubles final on June 8.
Bob, right, and Mike Bryan celebrate the match point.
Mike Bryan plays a forehand as his brother, Bob, looks on.
Mahut plays a forehand as his partner Llorda stands ready in the men's doubles final match.
David Ferrer of Spain celebrates after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the French Open at Roland Garros on Friday, June 7. Ferrer won 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 . Click through to see more tennis action.
Ferrer returns to Tsonga on June 7.
Tsonga reaches to hit a return to Ferrer on June 7.
Ferrer in action against Tsonga on June 7.
Tsonga serves to Ferrer on June 7.
Ferrer plays a forehand to Tsonga on June 7.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Serbia's Novak Djokovic during a French Open semifinal match in Paris on June 7. Nadal won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7.
Djokovic returns a shot to Nadal on June 7.
Nadal returns to Djokovic on June 7.
Djokovic plays a forehand against Nadal on June 7.
Nadal, left, and Djokovic change sides during their June 7 match.
Umpire Pascal Maria checks a line call with Djokovic on June 7.
Serena Williams of the United States reacts after a point against Italy's Sara Errani during their French Open semifinal match on Thursday, June 6. Williams beat Errani 6-0, 6-1.
Sara Errani of Italy plays a forehand against Serena Williams on June 6.
Maria Sharapova of Russia serves to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their semifinal match of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, on June 6.
Sharapova serves to Azarenka on June 6.
Brothers Mike, left, and Bob Bryan of the United States wait for a return from Alexander Peya of Austria and Bruno Soares of Brazil on June 6.
A court attendant covers the center court as rain falls over the Roland Garros stadium on June 6. The rain interrupted the semifinal match between Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
Russia's Maria Kirilenko serves to Belarus' Victoria Azarenka during their quarterfinal match at the French Open at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Wednesday, June 5. Azarenka beat Kirilenko 7-6(3), 6-2.
Russia's Maria Sharapova exchanges a ball before serving to Serbia's Jelena Jankovic on June 5. Sharapova won 0-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Tommy Haas of Germany serves during his quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on June 5.
Azarenka celebrates after defeating Kirilenko.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland on June 5.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and Roger Federer of Switzerland face off at Philippe Chatrier court during their quarterfinal match on day 10 of the French Open on Tuesday, June 4, in Paris. Tsonga won 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.
Tsonga celebrates his victory over Federer on June 4 as he advances to the semifinals.
Federer plays a backhand to Tsonga during the match on June 4.
Serena Williams of the U.S. celebrates a point during her win over Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia during the women's singles quarter-final match June 4. Williams defeated Kuznetsova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Kuznetsova, right, reacts after losing a point to Williams during the quarterfinal match June 4.
Williams serves to Kuznetsova on June 4.
Kuznetsova returns a forehand to Williams during the match on June 4.
Spain's Tommy Robredo returns to Spain's David Ferrer on June 4. Ferrer defeated Robredo 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.
Ferrer plays a return to Robredo during the quarter final match.
Oksana Kalashnikova of Georgia serves in her women's doubles match with Alicja Rosolska of Poland against Kristina Mlandenovic of France and Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan on June 4. Mladenovic and Voskoboeva won 6-1, 6-1.
Sara Errani of Italy hits a return to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during a quarter final match on June 4. Errani defeated Agnieszka 6-4, 7-6 (6).
Richard Gasquet of France hits a return to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka during a match on Monday, June 3.
USA's Sloane Stephens plays a forehand during her match against Russia's Maria Sharapova on June 3.
Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates her victory over USA's Sloane Stephens at the end of their round of sixteen match on June 3. Sharapova defeated Stephens 6-4, 6-3.
Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka celebrates after winning against France's Richard Gasquet during their round of sixteen match on June 3. Wawrinka defeated Gasquet 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6.
Sweat runs down the face of Spain's Rafael Nadal during his match against Japan's Kei Nishikori at the French Open on Monday, June 3, in Paris.
Nadal serves to Nishikori during their match on June 3. Nadal defeated Nishikori 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns a forehand in her match against Francesca Schiavone of Italy on June 3. Azarenka defeated Schiavone 6-3, 6-0.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic dives for a backhand during his match against Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber on June 3.
During a round of 16 match on June 3, the United States' Bethanie Mattek-Sands hits a return to Russia's Maria Kirilenko.
Sunny skies continue on the ninth day of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 3 in Paris.
Djokovic celebrates match point against Kohlschreiber on June 3. Djokovic defeated Kohlschreiber 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Kirilenko celebrates after beating Mattek-Sands on June 3. Kirilenko defeated Mattek-Sands 7-5, 6-4.
After winning a second set against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, France's Richard Gasquet celebrates at the French Open on June 3.
The shadow of a plane-shaped camera appears on the court as Djokovic waits for a serve from Kohlschreiber on June 3.
Switzerland's Roger Federer serves to Gilles Simon of France during a fourth-round match of the French Open on Sunday, June 2, in Paris. Federer defeated Simon 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Sara Errani of Italy celebrates match point in her match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain on June 2. Errani won 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France celebrates singles win on June 2, beating Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska serves to Serbia's Ana Ivanovic on June 2. Radwanska won 6-2, 6-4.
Serena Williams of the United States serves to Italy's Roberta Vinci during a 4th-round match of the French Open on Sunday, June 2, in Paris. Williams beat Vinci 6-1, 6-3.
Vinci hits a return to Williams on June 2.
The crowd watches Williams and Vinci play on June 2.
Spain's David Ferrer returns to South Africa's Kevin Anderson on June 2. Ferrer won 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.
Spain's Tommy Robredo celebrates his victory over Spain's Nicolas Almagro on June 2. Robredo won 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Germany's Angelique Kerber reacts after a point against Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova on June 2. Kuznetsova defeated Kerber 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Kuznetsova hits a backhand during her match against Kerber on June 2.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov on the seventh day of the French Open on Saturday, June 1. Djokovic won 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Dimitrov plays a forehand to Djokovic.
A ball boy holds a ball during a third round match a on June 1.
Spain's Rafael Nadal returns to Italy's Fabio Fognini on June 1. Nadal took the match 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4.
Russia's Nikolay Davydenko reaches to hit a return to France's Richard Gasquet on June 1. Gasquet won 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 .
Ball boys and ball girls take a break during the tournament on June 1.
Samantha Stosur of Australia serves in a Women's Singles match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia on June 1. Jankovic defeated Stosur 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Fabio Fognini of Italy on June 1.
Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia plays a forehand during the Women's Doubles match with Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu against U.S.'s Varvara Lepchenko of America and China's Saisai Zheng. Lepchenko and Jurak defeated Rybarikova and Begu 3-6 7-6(9) 6-3 .
France's Benoit Paire hands over a broken racket during his third round match against Japan's Kei Nishikori on June 1. Nishikori defeated Paire 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1.
Nishikori serves to Paire during the third round match on June 1.
Paire plays a forehand to Nishikori.
Marina Erakovic of New Zealand celebrates a point in her women's singles match against Sloane Stephens of the United States on June 1. Stephens beat Erakovic 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Russia's Maria Sharapova serves to China's Jie Zheng during the third round match June 1. Sharapova won 6-1, 7-5.
Sloane Stephens of the United States returns a shot to New Zealand's Marina Erakovic on June 1.
Francesca Schiavone of Italy plays a backhand against Marion Bartoli of France on June 1. Schiavone won 6-2, 6-1.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns a forehand in her women's singles match against Alize Cornet of France on June 1. Azarenka defeated Cornet 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
France's Jeremy Chardy stretches to hit the ball against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their third-round match at the French Open at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Friday, May 31. Tsonga beat Chardy 6-1, 6-2, 7-5.
Casey Dellacqua, right, and Ashleigh Barty of Australia prepare to receive a serve on May 31. The pair lost to Mona Barthel of Germany and Liga Dermeijere of Latvia 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand against Julien Benneteau of France on May 31. Federer won 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
Angelique Kerber of Germany returns to Varvara Lepchenko of the United States on May 31. Kerber won 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4.
Spain's Tommy Robredo celebrates match point against France's Gael Monfils on May 31. Robredo beat Monfils 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-2.
Monfils reacts after losing to Robredo on May 31.
Spain's David Ferrer returns to Spain's Feliciano Lopez on May 31. Ferrer won 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
Maria Kirilenko of Russia plays a forehand against Ashleigh Barty of Australia on May 31. Kirilenko beat Barty 6-3, 6-1.
Lopez returns to Ferrer on May 31.
Serena Williams of the United States plays a forehand against Sorana Cirstea of Romania on May 31. Williams won 6-0, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand against Martin Klizan of Slovakia on May 31. Nadal won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Spain's David Ferrer returns to his countryman Feliciano Lopez on May 31.
France's Marion Bartoli serves to Colombia's Mariana Duque-Marino on May 31. Bartoli won 7-6(5), 7-5.
Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic hits a return to Spain's Fernando Verdasco on May 31.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a backhand to Argentina's Guido Pella on Thursday, May 30. Djokovic won with a score of 6-2, 6-0, 6-2.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States plays a forehand against Na Li of China on May 30. Mattek-Sands beat Li 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Spectators sit in the rain at the Suzanne Lenglen court on May 30.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a backhand to Annika Beck of Germany on May 30. Azarenka defeated Beck 6-4, 6-3.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic prepares a shot to Argentina's Guido Pella on May 30.
Azarenka waits for a serve from Beck on May 30.
Melanie Oudin of the United States hits a backhand to China's Jie Zheng on May 30.
Kristina Mladenovic of France plays a forehand to Samantha Stosur of Australia on May 30.
Jonathan Marray, left, and Colin Fleming of Great Britain play Feliciano Lopez of Spain and Andre Sa of Brazil on May 30.
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov serves to France's Lucas Pouille on May 30.
Pouille returns to Dimitrov during their match on May 30.
Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan looks on during a break in her match against Paula Ormaechea of Argentina on May 30.
China's Na Li prepares to serve to USA's Bethanie Mattek-Sands on May 30.
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark plays a forehand against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia on Wednesday, May 29. Wozniacki was defeated by a score of 7-6(2), 6-3.
Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia celebrates match point against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark on May 29.
Serena Williams of the United States hits a shot to Caroline Garcia of France on May 29. Williams won 6-1, 6-2.
Gael Monfils of France serves against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia on May 29. Monfils beat Gulbis 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2.
Switzerland's Roger Federer serves to India's Somdev Devvarman on May 29. Federer defeated Devvarman 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.
France's Michael Llodra hits a backhand shot to Canada's Milos Raonic on May 29. Raonic beat Llodra 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2.
France's Benoit Paire misses a shot from Cyprus' Marcos Baghdatis on May 29. Paire defeated Baghdatis 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4.
Young fans watch Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during her match against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States on May 29.
Russia's Elena Vesnina keeps track of the ball during her match against Belarus' Victoria Azarenka on May 29. Azarenka beat Vesnina 6-1, 6-4.
Spain's Feliciano Lopez serves to Portugal's Joao Sousa on May 29. Lopez won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Croatia's Marin Cilic hits a backhand shot to Australia's Nick Kyrgios on May 29. Cilic won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Belarus' Victoria Azarenka serves to Russia's Elena Vesnina on May 29.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand against David Goffin of Belgium during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Tuesday, May 28. Djokovic defeated Goffin 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-5.
Jack Sock of the United States celebrates beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 on May 28.
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova hits a forehand shot to Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko during the first round match on May 28. Cibulkova won 6-1, 6-4.
Kristina Mladenovic of France celebrates a point in her women's singles match against Lauren Davis of the United States on May 28. Mladenovic won 6-0, 7-5.
Serbia's Jelena Jankovic celebrates after winning against Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova on May 28. Jankovic defeated Hantuchovan 6-4, 7-6(7).
Belgium's David Goffin hits a forehand to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during a first round match of the French Open at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on Tuesday, May 28.
France's Marion Bartoli warms up during her match against Belarus' Olga Govortsova on May 28.
Djokovic serves to Goffin during their first round match on May 28.
France's Alize Cornet returns to Portugal's Maria Joao Koehler during their first round match on May 28.
Rain causes delays on the third day of the French Open in Paris, on May 28, as a covering tries to keep the Philippe Chatrier central court at Roland Garros stadium dry.
Employees remove water from a tarpaulin covering the Philippe Chatrier central court on May 28.
France's Gael Monfils stretches for a shot against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych during the first round of the French Open on Monday, May 27, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Monfils defeated Berdych 7-6(8), 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5.
Rafael Nadal of Spain and Daniel Brands of Germany face off in the first round singles match on May 27. Nadal defeated Brands 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-3.
After losing the first set to Brands, Nadal went on to win the match and move on to the second round.
Richard Gasquet of France serves to Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine during day two of the French Open on May 27. Gasquet won the match 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.
Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky takes a picture with his smartphone on May 27 of a mark on the clay. Stakhovsky believed the shot to be in, but the chair umpire disagreed.
Sloane Stephens, of the U.S., returns a shot to Italy's Karin Knapp during the women's singles match May 27. Stephens won 6-2, 7-5.
France's Julien Benneteau argues with a referee about a line call during his first round match against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis on May 27. Benneteau defeated Berankis 7-6(5), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5).
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of Czech Republic covers her face during a break in the match against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia on May 27. Strycova lost to Jovanovski 6-3, 6-2.
Angelique Kerber of Germany plays a backhand against Mona Barthel of Germany during day two of the French Open on May 27. Kerber won the match 7-6(6), 6-2.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia serves to Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic on May 27. Kyrgios advances by winning 7-6(4), 7-6(8), 7-6(11).
Spain's Albert Ramos returns the ball to Poland's Jerzy Janowicz on May 27. Janowicz defeated Ramos 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-3.
Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after beating Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the French Open on May 27.
Spain's David Ferrer serves to Australia's Marinko Matosevic during the first round of the French Open on Sunday, May 26, in Paris. Ferrer won the match 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Puerto Rico's Monica Puig celebrates her win over Russia's Nadia Petrova on May 26 in Paris. Puig won 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Petrova hits a backhand shot to Puig on May 26.
Roger Federer of Switzerland serves against Pablo Carreno-Busta of Spain on May 26. Federer beat Correno-Busta 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Carreno-Busta serves to Federer on May 26.
Venus Williams hits a return to Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska on May 26. Radwanska beat Williams 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4.
Michael Llodra of France serves against Steve Darcis of Belgium on May 26. Llordra won 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Darcis makes a forehand swing against Llodra on May 26.
Sara Errani of Italy serves against Arantxa Rus of Netherlands on May 26. Errani won 6-2, 6-1.
Rus serves to Errani on May 26.
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays against Petra Martic of Croatia on May 26. Ivonovic won 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Martic returns a shot to Ivanovic on May 26.
Gilles Simon of France reaches to make a forehand return against Lleyton Hewitt of Australia on May 26. Simon won 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5.
|