By Tonte Davies
“…Despite all that, I’m in a Grand Slam final. No matter who is across the net, I feel it’s a great opportunity for the both of us.”
Maria Sharapova’s words in an interview before playing Simona Halep in Saturday’s Grand Slam final of the French Open. The final game was definitely an opportunity for both athletes to grab a chance to rise in ranking but like the movie Highlander ”there can be only one.” In the end, “only one” did lift the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen and it certainly isn’t Simona Halep.
Without loss of a set going into her maiden Grand Slam final, Halep’s invincibility was not enough to make her ‘immortal’ against Sharapova. Sharapova on the other hand, demonstrated grit to not only win her fifth Grand Slam title, but to make the clay court major the first one she has two of, also. It did not however, come easy for the Russian. Unlike previous games, Sharapova did not have to rally from a set down.
Playing on Court Philippe Chatrier, Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep battled for three hours and two minutes, Sharapova with the early lead – 6-4, 2-0. Sneaking out the second set, Halep worked her way back into the game with two break points for a 3-1 lead in the third set. The best of Sharapova’s tennis in the tournament was unleashed when it mattered most. The Russian dropped a pair of love games on Halep to eventually capture the title, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4.
“This was the toughest Grand Slam final I’ve ever played,” Sharapova said after the match. Sharapova went on to show her respect for Simona Halep, considering the fact that this is the Romanians first Grand Slam ever. “All the respect to Simona. I thought she played an unbelievable match today,” Sharapova mused.
On her own part, despite losing, Halep did not hide her new found hunger for more Grand Slam finals. “This is my first Grand Slam final speech, but I wish to have many more,” Simona said to the cheers of the enthusiastic Chatrier crowd. Halep went on to congratulate Sharapova for winning the title while wishing her the very best. “First I’d like to say congratulations Maria. You’re a great champion and you played really well, and you really deserved this title. I wish you all the best for the future.”
Sharapova who could not conceal her disbelief at winning a second Grand Slam for the first time, said on WTA website: “I can’t believe this. I never thought seven or eight years ago that I’d win more Roland Garroses when I was 27 years old than any other Grand Slam. It’s a dream come true. This tournament means so much to me. And to think I’ve won it two times now – I’m so emotional, I can’t even talk right now.”
Sharapova goes from No. 8 to No. 5 on the WTA Rankings, No. 4 to No. 1 on the Road to Singapore leaderboard, and No. 3 to No. 2 on the all-time prize money list (trailing only Serena Williams). Halep is now No. 3 across the board – on the WTA Rankings and Road to Singapore leaderboard.
Image source: Getty images