For a third straight year, the Russian superstar Maria Sharapova made it to the French Open final where she will meet Romanian player Simona Halep.
For a third straight year, the Russian superstar Maria Sharapova made it to the French Open final where she will meet Romanian player Simona Halep. The 27-year-old Sharapova is ranked seventh in this year’s French Open was also a winner in 2012 as she displayed her never-say-die spirit to down Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-final.
Halep, on the other hand, proved too strong for Germany’s Andrea Petkovic, winning the other semi-final 6-2, 7-6 (7/4). Maria Sharapova who is also the biggest-earning sportswoman in the world, will be eyeing a fifth Grand Slam title, having completed her career Grand Slam sweep in Paris two years ago.
Sharapova’s opponent, Simona Halep who once underwent breast reduction surgery to improve her game, will become the first Romanian to contest a Grand Slam final. What a clash it will turn out to be!
Before the two opponents go head-to head on Saturday, they have played each other thrice with the Russian Sharapova winning all three. Halep might have a different strategy up her sleeves when she goes against Maria in the French Open Final.
Maria Sharapova seems to be the ‘Rafael Nadal’ of women’s tennis as far as the French Open is concerned as the former won a three-set game for a record 19th time on clay, dating back to a loss against Justine Henin at Roland Garros in 2010.
Simona Halep a former world junior number one, who had never previously got beyond the second round in Paris, has progressed well in the tournament without dropping a set. Watch out Maria!
Halep’s semi-final game saw her just 4-1 ahead in just 14 minutes in the first set against the 28th seed Andrea Petkovic who was also playing in her first major semi-final. The Romanian fired three aces in the opener and allowed her opponent just seven points off her serve. The German Petkovic was finally undone in the tiebreak when Halep wrapped up the semi-final with a sweeping, running forehand.
Even though the favourites tag remains with Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep can play her own game as she vies to win her first ever Major Grand Slam. Under no pressure what so ever, Halep’s cause can be helped that Sharapova will be under tremendous pressure to deliver since the latter is eyeing a Career Grand Slam. But never discount Sharapova as the Russian can trounce the opponent on her given day.
