Advantage Muguruza? Conditions favor Spaniard in French finale

12:39 PM ET

PARIS — Tennis, despite its very public displays, can be a very secretive sport.

Take Serena Williams, for instance.

During Friday’s semifinal match with Kiki Bertens, Marion Bartoli — the 2013 Wimbledon champion — broke some news as an analyst covering the French Open for ITV. Williams, according to Bartoli, had received extensive treatment for an adductor injury following her quarterfinal victory on Thursday.

Serena casually confirmed this after advancing to the Saturday final against Garbine Muguruza. She also said her stunning loss to Muguruza here two years ago the second round helped her learn “a ton.”

What exactly? She declined to shed further light on this watershed learning experience.

“I don’t really want to elaborate,” Serena said, “but it was really an unbelievable lesson for me.”

We, on the other hand, are happy to share our knowledge. ESPN.com’s Johnette Howard, Peter Bodo and Greg Garber kicked around the subject of the oncoming women’s final in this latest, slightly waterlogged, edition of Baseline Buzz.

For the second time, Garbine Muguruza has reached the final of a Grand Slam event. Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images1. What’s the biggest concern for Serena?

Howard: Serena managed to escape shaky starts against Yulia Putintseva and Kiki Berkens, but Garbine Muguruza is a better player than either. Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s coach, admitted after her quarterfinal scare that she’s been frustrated by the cold, damp conditions, which makes it harder for her to finish off points.

Garber: Until her postmatch press conference Friday, I would have said 34-year-old nerves, which have become increasingly evident the past few years. But now there is a new elephant in the room: her recently revealed adductor injury. Serena looked a step slow in the quarters, and only Bertens’ calf injury made her the better mover in their semifinal match. Against Muguruza, who is more than a dozen years younger, this could be a serious problem.

Bodo: Court speed. It will be very hard for Williams to hit through this court. If Muguruza were more of a finesse player, or a counter-puncher, the heavy, wet conditions might be a benefit for Williams. But as both women are big hitters, Muguruza may be able to run longer and faster because of her age.

2. How do you …

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