She’s done it. She’s finally done it. Simona Halep has lifted her first Grand Slam, and that too at the French Open, where she’s reached the final three times (including this one). She beat the American, Sloane Stephens to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
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It required nerves of steel from Halep to overcome the challenge that Stephens had put before her. The second set was neck and neck with both breaking each other twice before Halep took the ultimate break leading 5-4 already to clinch the set. Once the second set was over, it was a dominating performance by Halep, who barely allowed Stephens to overcome the loss of the second set.
It was quite an emotional moment for the world number 1. She let her tears flow by and went straight to the stands to celebrate with her family and coaching staff.
Here is how Twitter celebrated her Simona Halep’s Grand Slam title:
The moment @Simona_Halep became Roland-Garros champion! #RG18
She's done it! SIMONA HALEP HAS WON HER FIRST GRAND SLAM! Halep 🇷🇴 3-6 6-4 6-1 🇺🇸 Stephens LIVE: 📻 @5liveSport extra 👉 bbc.in/2LCi938 #bbctennis #FrenchOpen
Virginia Ruzici, the only other Romanian women to win a Grand Slam (had won #FrenchOpen 40 years ago in 1978), is now the manager of #FrenchOpen2018 winner Simona Halep! #RolandGarros #FrenchOpenFinal #RG18
.@Simona_Halep has her first Grand Slam singles title! She completes an emotional 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over S. Stephens to become the first 🇷🇴 woman in 40 years to win a Grand Slam 🏆. 📹: 2015 #USOpen
CHAMPION 🏆 #RG18 @Simona_Halep
It’s all about patience and ward work. Huge congrats to @Simona_Halep 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Big champ
We have a new Grand Slam champion! World No.1 @Simona_Halep beats Sloane Stephens 3-6 6-4 6-1 to win the French Open. #RG18
Queen of Clay. @Simona_Halep tops Sloane Stephens in three sets to win her first Grand Slam title!
40 years after Virginia Ruzici won 1978 Roland Garros 10 years after Simona Halep won the 2008 girls title @Simona_Halep is a Grand Slam Champion in the 4th time of asking. #RG18 wtatenn.is/Yj4NmD
Earned it. Simona Halep is a Grand Slam champion! #RG18
Simona #Halep CHAMPION! 🏆 World No.1 wins her 1st Grand Slam title in #RolandGarros defeating Sloane Stephens 3-6 6-4 6-1! #RG18
Support from the stands for @Simona_Halep 🇷🇴 Where are you watching from? #RG18
At last: #1 Simona Halep wins her first Grand Slam final on her fourth try, beating #10 Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to become 2018 French Open champion. First Romanian Grand Slam champion in 40 years, since her mentor Virginia Ruzici won here in 1978. #RG18
If at first you don't succeed... @Simona_Halep's wait for a Grand Slam title is over - she beats Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the @rolandgarros final 🇷🇴
Simona Halep is the first ever "Slamless #1" to win a Slam while #1. Given all the crap that gets thrown at the women who have been in that role, it hasn't been easy. Strong woman, this Simona. #RG18
Congratulations @Simona_Halep First Grand Slam Go go go!! 💪🏻 Tremendo torneo, tremenda final. Más que merecida victoria. Gran luchadora!! #RolandGarros #SimonaHalep
The way she played in that 3rd set is simply out of this world... Unreal...
#Halep vince #RolandGarros bravo Simona
Halep TOP!!!
CONGRATS TO EVERY SINGLE SIMONA HALEP FAN WHO HAS GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING SHE HAS GONE THROUGH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. This time is yours. You deserve it 💗💗💗💗 #rg18
https://twitter.com/RomaniaKrisbian/status/1005469919994155008
Great speech as always from Sloane Stephens congratulating Simona Halep #RolandGarros2018 champion #RolandGarros 🎾🎾🎾🏆
Simona Halep 🇷🇴🏆(🎥Eurosport)/@Simona_Halep/
Congratulations @Simona_Halep Brilliant female final @rolandgarros #Paris👌 Both players amazing!👏 #respect #tennis #RG18 h
"I was dreaming of this moment since I was starting to play tennis. I’m really happy it’s happened in Roland-Garros in Paris - my special city." @Simona_Halep loves you, Paris. #RG18
If there was anyone who deserved to win #RG18 Women's Singles, it definitely has to be Simona Halep. It took her a long while to get here. Remember guys: never stop fighting for your dreams! ♥️
Her first French Open final was in 2014 when she lost against Maria Sharapova. Last year, she reached the finals again, only to lose it against Jelena Ostapeno. But it was no stopping her this time around and she ensured she got the better of her opponent this time around.
The resilience and sheer determination showcased by Simona Halep will be inspire quite a few. It certainly isnt very easy to overcome being a set down in the final of a Grand Slam you’ve already lost a couple of times.
“In the last game, I felt I could not breath any more,” she said courtside. “I just did not want to repeat what happened last year. Honestly, I cannot believe it. I am really thankful this has happened in Paris, my special city. She’s a great player, always tough to play. In the second set, I started to relax and came back.”
Congratulations to Halep. Superb come back there. Guess it was about time you won it and be third time lucky. Best of luck to Stephens and hope she wins a grand slam soon. Sad you lost steam, but all good. Smashing game of tennis! #RolandGarros2018 #ladiesfinal
https://twitter.com/Ebo_AA/status/1005472504591323138
https://twitter.com/ethericlights/status/1005477000855916544
I dreamed about that day! Simona champion of a grand slam. Congratulations
@Simona_Halep Well done Simona. Such an amazing match and so well deserved. The bit I loved the most was that you would have run all day and still be out there at darkness to win this. See you at Wimbledon. I will be there cheering you on in person. Brilliant job.