Simona Halep has become the first Romanian female player to win a grand slam title since 1978 after battling from behind to defeat Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, in a roller-coaster final at the French Open.
A year ago the 26-year-old was on the verge of winning the Paris major by leading Jelena Ostapenko by a set and a break before losing. Against Stephens it was a similar storyline, but in reverse. Halep was the one who was a set and a break down against her gutsy opponent before clawing her way back for the historic win. Hitting 18 winners to 26 unforced errors and converting five out of her six break point chances.
“Sloane is a great player and it is always tough to play against her.” Halep said after the match. “She was very strong on the court and when I was down a break in the second set I said ‘ok, everything has gone, I have to start relaxing.’”
From the onset chants of ‘Si-mo-na, Si-mo-na’ erupted around court Philippe Chatrier. It was evident that the majority of the crowd support was behind the top seed, but it was the more composed Stephens that started the sharpest out of the two. The defensive skills of both players resulted in some gut-busting ralles. Halep’s roars and aggressive play was matched by Stephen’s ability to move her around with a series of angle shots.
Stephens’ first breakthrough occurred in the fourth game of the match. A deep forehand return triggered a Halep error to gift her a break point opportunity. The 3-1 lead when then sealed when a 9-shot exchange concluded when a Halep forehand slammed into the net. Stephens continued to battle behind her serve, fending off every attack her opponent mounted. Prompted Halep to make a series of eagle-eye glares towards her coach Darren Cahill. She finally got her reward on the stroke of the 41-minute mark when another blockbuster rally ended with another Halep error. Handing the reigning US Open champion a 6-3 lead.
The relentless display from the 25-year-old continued into the second set. Withstanding Halep’s power and intensity, Stephens extended her lead to a set and a break when a lob prompted her to return the ball out.
The comeback
A straightforward Stephens’ win appeared to be on the cards, but a sudden dip in her form proved fatal. Triggering a rejuvenated Halep to break back later in the set to revive her title chances as she converted a 0-2 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Once again the chants of ‘Si-mo-na, Si-mo-na’ erupted. Another lacklustre service game, but this time from Halep, allowed Stephens back into the roller-coaster set to draw level 4-4. Two games away from her fourth loss in a grand slam final, Halep managed to snatch the second set in audacious fashion. Forcing the American to hit back-to-back errors when trailing 4-5 and levelling up the match at a set apiece.
Halep’s ability to turn her fortunes around illustrated why she is the world No.1. The decider was a battle of fitness as well as nerves. It was the Romanian who was superior as Stephens started to fade away. Enabling Halep to race to a 3-0 lead. Triggering flashbacks to 12 months ago when she lead Ostapenko by a break in the decider at Roland Garros before losing. This time round history didn’t repeat itself as the top seed roared towards the title. Slamming a serve down the centre of the court which sparked an Stephens return into the net on championship point.
“In the last game I felt that I couldn’t breath anymore.” Said Halep, who exits Paris with €2,200,000 in prize money. “I just tried to not repeat last year (when I lost). I did everything that I could. It’s amazing what is happening now.
“I can’t believe it. I have been dreaming about this moment ever since I started playing tennis. I’m really happy it happened in Roland Garros, my special city.”
Despite her loss, Stephens can seek solace in her run at the tournament. On Monday she will rise to a ranking high of the fourth in the world. Becoming the first American woman, over than the Williams sisters, to break into the top five since Lindsay Davenport in 2006.
“It has been an amazing couple of weeks for me (at Roland Garros). It’s not the trophy I wanted, but it is still beautiful.” Stephens said during the trophy ceremony.
“To Simona, congratulations on your first slam, it looks great on you. There is nobody that I would rather lose to than the No.1 in the world.”
Halep’s French tirumph occurs on the 40th anniversary of the last time a Romanian woman won a major title. On that occasion it was Virginia Ruzici, who witnessed the final in person today.
“It is nice that after 40 years I won, like when Virginian won (at the French Open). I’m happy to do this here in front of you.” Halep said to Ruzici
As a result of her triumph, Halep has become only the sixth player in history to win both the girls (2008) and women’s (2018) title at the French major. She now leads Stephens 6-2 in their head-to-head, claiming her seventh WTA title on the clay.
