French Open: Simona Halep wins first Grand Slam title – reactions

World No.1 Halep beats Sloane Stephens in
epic final at Roland-Garros

Reaction

Romanian Halep, the world No.1 and top seed, staged an epic
comeback to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier and secure
a maiden major in her fourth Slam final.

Current US Open champion Stephens took control of the
match by winning the opening set, but the turning point came in the
middle of the second as Halep found her game and started to win
points at the net.

Then in the deciding third set Halep played some
magnificent tennis to storm into a 5-0 lead. Stephens won the sixth
game before Halep held her serve and completed the victory in front
of a delighted Parisien crowd.

The result was redemption for Halep who had twice lost the
final in Paris – in 2014 and last year when Jelena Ostapenko staged
her own comeback. Halep was then also defeated in this year’s
Australian Open final by Caroline Wozniacki.

After the victory an emotional Halep climbed into the
stands to celebrate with her family and coaching team.

She returned to the court and said: “It was amazing and
thank you for your support. In the last game I didn’t feel like I
could breathe any more and didn’t want to repeat last year, so I
cannot believe it. I was dreaming of this moment since I started
playing tennis and I’m happy it happened at Roland
Garros.”

Upon receiving the trophy she added: “Last year was very
emotional so I was living for this moment since I was 14 so thank
you and I wanted this moment to happen here in France. Congrats to
Sloane, you have done a great job since the injuries and I’m sure
you are going to play lots more finals.

“I see the Romanian flag in the crowd, thanks to my
friends and my family and to all the Romanian and French fans, I
have felt your support over the last two weeks. I wish in the
future to play more finals here, because it’s a really beautiful
tournament and it is my favourite one.”

Tennis fans around the world also congratulated Halep on
her maiden slam, here’s how Twitter reacted:

“She deserves her victory”.

Halep joins an elite club this year…

Russian tennis player Elena Vesnina praises
Halep.

Czech star Petra Kvitova is delighted for
Halep.

A dream comes true.

Her moment comes in Paris.

Halep is the Roland-Garros champion.