The 2012 champion Maria Sharapova reached her third successive final of the French Open where she will face first-time Grand Slam finalist Simona Halep.
It was yet another three-setter and yet again Sharapova’s priceless fighting spirit patched up the wholes in her game. After escaping defeats to Sam Stosur and Garbine Muguruza in the previous two rounds, once again Sharapova had to fight back from losing the first set as her semifinal opponent Eugenie Bouchard broke for the second time at 4-4 on her way to winning the opening set. The seventh-seeded Sharapova started the second set well, with a 2-0 lead, but the 18th-seeded Bouchard came back from 5-2 down to level, helped by Sharapova’s two double faults on set points in the ninth game, before the Russian found her best game to force the decider, recovering from the six double faults she served during the set. In the third set Sharapova converted just two of nine break points, but Bouchard earned none and the victory was Maria’s: 4-6 7-5 6-2.
In the second semifinal, the fourth-seeded Halep who had never been past the second round at Roland Garros won the first set against seed No.28 Andrea Petkovic in less than half and hour and even though the German improved a lot in the second set, she let an early break slip away and Halep was the stronger in the tiebreak for a 6-2 7-6(4) triumph.
Despite her modest history at the French Open, Halep has reached the final without dropping a set, unlike Sharapova. Actually, before today’s match with Petkovic, Halep hadn’t even lost more than four games in a set this fortnight. Will Halep’s graceful and intelligent game manage to down Sharapova at the big stage? Sharapova leads Halep 3-0 in their head-to-head series, having beaten her on clay once and recently – in the final of the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open, 1-6 6-2 6-3. (photos: Jimmie48)
I was hoping Eugenie Bouchard would pull the episode but once I saw it look like Sharapova was going win the second set I knew that Sharapova would win that match.
Sadly I miss Andrea Petkovic vs Simona Halep but I would be happy if either won that match but I’m not sure either has the game that can defeat Sharapova sadly.
Dxana, Halep will have to stay aggressive and play fast, but the most important thing is how she will handle the nerves. You never know what to expect from a player in their first GS final.
Such a hard one to pick a winner…
Halep is on the rise – her form is consistent as always & she has the intelligence to handle the big situation; definitely has the game & attitude to be a grand slam champ.
Sharapova is a champion – she’s proven time & time again this tournament that she’ll fight to the end & let no one get in her way; her advantage is she knows how to win the French Open & how it can be lost (which she wont want happening again!)
Bring on the final & may the best girl win… (posted this comment on a previous post).
PeteTweet, I am giving the edge to Sharapova. If she falls to Halep, I don’t see it happening in straight sets.