French Open Tennis: Preview of the women’s final between Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep.
The stage is set for Simona Halep to be a slam winner at the Roland Garros. She plays Sloane Stephens who overcame her countrywoman Madison Keys 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the French Open on Thursday.
Simona Halep has played brilliantly at the French Open so far.
Halep’s journey to the finals came with the notable 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 conquest of Angelique Kerber in the quarters, and a straight set route of Garbine Muguruza, in the semi-finals, who herself looked impressive and quite dominant in her 6-2, 6-1 demolition of Maria Sharapova. Halep’s performance at the French Open 2018 has been nothing short brilliant so far. She has played more aggressive than usual and, whenever threatened, taken it to the opponent. Moreover, Simona Halep has been performing consistently well over the last few years and is hungry and prepared for her first slam trophy at the French Open 2018.
Sloan Stephen’s is back to her winning ways.
After her US Open win in 2017, Sloane Stephens went through a slump, and lost eight consecutive first-round matches! She recovered her form towards the end of the first quarter this year with her sixth WTA title at the Indian Wells. She is a big match player and is well aware that Simona Halep is not.
Simona Halep’s advantage.
Simona Halep has a winning 5-2 head-to-head record against Sloane Stephens and has not been beaten by her since 2013. The final of a slam, however, is an entirely different occasion, and many great players have stumbled at that stage. A player hasn’t won a slam until she has won one. And, Sloane Stephens has already won one.
Sloane Stephen’s advantage.
Sloane Stephens will come to the match with the supreme knowledge of having done that and been there. In tight moments, and on crucial points, Sloane will be able to fall back on her experience of having done it before. Simona Halep, on the other hand, will be haunted by the ghosts of her failed previous attempts and how she exorcises those ghosts of her pasts will decide if she’ll be the one holding the trophy at the very end of it all.
Conclusion: Simona Halep over Sloane Stephens in three sets.