Winner Takes All: Maria Sharapova Scores Her Second Win At The French Open
Winner Takes All: Maria Sharapova Scores Her Second Win At The French Open
Maria Sharapova has managed a second win in 3 years and it was possible through a 3 hour epic battle as she fought off Simona Halep to win the championship. Maria Sharapova has now achieved the distinction of having won the French Open women's Singles championship twice. The 27 year old Sharapova displayed complete mastery over the clay surface as she topped new kid on the block Romanian player Simona Halep. She won 6-4,6-7 and 6-4 in a nail biting match that left it all to the very last ball.
The Russian tennis player talked of how it was the “toughest Grand Slam final” she has ever played. She has defeated fourth seed Simona to bring home the trophy. But for Maria Sharapova, Simona would have won her first Grand Slam title.
At the age of 22, Romanian player Simona Halep has been a worthy contender. Media persons have likened the Sharapova-Halep duel to the match between Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters 12-10 in the 2001 finals. The match between Maria and Simona is a first in other ways as well. This is the first time Sharapova has hit the trinity when it comes to any of her 9 Grand Slam Finals. She battled on through 4 straight three-set battles to deliver a stunning blow to Halep.
This victory marks Maria Sharapova's 20th successive 3-set victory on clay. At the age of 27, Maria Sharapova has won 27 of her last 28 matches. She has what it takes to go the distance and the finals of the French Open women's singles are a testimony to the grit and stamina of the Russian.
At the start of the match, Maria wont he first set and at 2-0 in the second, she looked to take the trophy home. But Halep fought back in the break for 2-1 in the second set. She used her prowess to counter Sharapova when it came to court coverage and athletic skills.
It was not only the competition which was hotting up at the court. On a day when temperatures breached 30 degrees, the pair had more than each other to contend with on the 7th of June. Halep seized the chance to break when at 4-4 and deuce in the second set.
Media reports have discussed how the match may not have delighted purists because there was little net play, but the baseline exchanges were of the highest standards. The match between the two was a brilliant play of technique and grit.
Halep had her supporters who along with former Romania tennis great Ion Tiriac wore red to show their support. The Romanian player rose to number 3 following her courageous rebuttal on the clay court against Sharapova. Maria Sharapova will now be back to the top 5 as a result of this. She is also the 12th female player to win 5 or more Grand Slam titles in the Open era as a result of this stunning match.
