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After two weeks the French Open women’s final is upon us with Simona Halep hunting her first grand slam against 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. Can Halep make it third time lucky or will Stephens be out to upset the world No.1? Join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Simona Halep has had a tough battle on her way through to her third French Open final but the world No.1 has overcome adversity as she hunts down her first ever Grand Slam title.
Halep began the tournament after dropping the first set to Alison Riske to come back for a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory before knocking off American wildcard Taylor Townsend in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 and then putting in a stand-out display against Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-0.
The Romanian did it easily in the fourth round against 16th seed Elise Mertens in the fourth round cruising through in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 before a close battle with Angelique Kerber 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 and a breezing victory over the princess of clay Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-4.
Halep is used to the big stage on Court Philippe Chatrier having played in the final in 2014 and 2017 although she is yet to claim victory. All eyes are on the 26-year-old to break through and win her first ever title and she looks in her best form ever on clay.
Sloane Stephens has had a dream run through the 2018 French Open after missing last year’s tournament.
The American has only dropped one set all tournament with some promising matches throughout.
She began her tournament with easy straight sets wins over Arantxa Rus and Magdalena Fręch before Camila Giorgi pushed her to three sets prevailing in a huge tie-breaker to move through with a 4-6, 6-1, 8-6 victory.
Since then she has had no problems as he looks to claim her second grand slam title in less than twelve months after claiming a maiden victory in Flushing Meadows last year.
Seeded opponents Anett Kontaveit, Daria Kasatkina and Madison Keys have all fell to the Florida native as she starts the final as the rank outsider.
Simona Halep has won five matches against Sloane Stephens with the American taking two victories. Two of those have come on clay with Halep winning both, including their only French Open clash in the fourth round of 2014 with a 6-4, 6-3 win.
Their only other grand slam clash came in the first round of the 2013 Australian Open, Stephens prevailing in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.
Prediction
Halep will hold on to her world No.1 ranking to clean-up her first Grand Slam victory after going close at the French Open in 2014 and 2017.
Halep in three sets.
Join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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