Maria Sharapova scoops fifth Grand Slam at French Open

IN an absolutely classic match against Simona Halep Maria Sharapova has claimed the French Open title at Roland Garros.

Magnaminous in victory Maria said after the match: “This is the toughest Grand Slam final I have ever played and all respect to Simona, she played an unbelievable match today.”

Sharapova now moves to second pllce in the all time money winning list behind Serena Williams.

The victory has made Sharapova the 12th woman to win at least five Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.

But it wasn’t easy against Halep who gave as good as she got in her first Grand Slam final. She may have lost today (Saturday) but a star was born. It would take a brave man to bet against the talented Romanian picking up at least one major title in the coming years.

In the match, which had members of the French crowd on the edge of their seats, it was Sharapova who took the honours in a see-saw first set, 6-4. And when she took an early break in the second it looked like she would wrap up a straight sets win with her big match experience telling.

But Halep had other ideas and dug deep to break back then win a tie break to take the second set 6-7.

In the end Sharapova’s experience did tell, but Halep fought all the way before succumbing 6-4.

Sharapova said: “This tournament means so much to me and to think that I’ve won it two times, I don’t know, I’m so emotional right now I can’t even talk.”