It's game, set and match as far as this live text commentary is concerned. A spellbinding match which took three hours and two minutes to end in Maria Sharapova's favour. Thanks, as always, for your contributions

There will be more live text commentary on Sunday when familiar foes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic battle it out for the men's title. Bye for now.

A sprinkling of spectators remain on Philippe Chatrier. They've stayed behind to watch French Open champion Sharapova sign autographs and take selfies with lucky fans. The Russian's day is almost done, but before she departs she writes her autograph onto the camera lens, as tradition dictates.

If you're hungry for more statistics then gobble this one up: That victory over Halep was Sharapova's 50th victory at Roland Garros. Only six players have won more - Steffi Graf (84), Chris Evert (72), Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (72), Conchita Martinez (62), Monica Seles (54) and Martina Navratilova (51).

Image source, Getty Images

The finalists pose alongside Chris Evert and a diminutive Frenchman whose name I don't know. It's the suited gentleman who is calling all the shots and he taps Sharapova's arm, telling her to turn sideways for the snappers. He's enjoying himself in the limelight, and so is Sharapova.

Peter, Solihull: "With all this anti-Maria propaganda going around, it should be said that Sharapova has been the best player during this tournament. Powerful, determined, and deserving of this title."

Sharapova tells the crowd that she only speaks a little bit of French and attempts to say a sentence or two in Français. But before she finishes a sentence she breaks out in English again, saying: "I'm so emotional right now, I don't know what language to speak... English, Russian or French." That sounds fair enough to me, to be honest.

Image source, AFP

Simona Halep: "Congrats Maria, you are a great player, you deserve this title, and I wish you all the best in the future. I've had two incredible weeks, it was my first Grand Slam final and I cannot really explain how I feel! Merci beaucoup, vous etes formidable!"

Ros Clarke:, external One of the best women's tennis matches in a very long time. Well done to both players.

Adam Leggott:, external Men's final has to go some to beat that tomorrow. Seriously superb match.

Jake Turner:, external Congratulations Maria Sharapova, amazing game! Amazing champion.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"They might have had to wait 13 years since their last three-setter in a women's final, but the Parisians got their money's worth today - over three hours that began with high-quality tennis and ended with high drama. Halep was the only player to win titles on clay, hard and grass last year, so she might threaten again in a few week's time at Wimbledon, but it's Sharapova's day today after she willed herself to victory as she has done all week."

Image source, AFP

Chris Evert, a seven-time winner at Roland Garros, appears on court with a humongous bouquet of flowers. Simona Halep steps up to receive her runners-up plate and the Romanian can't help but broadly smile.

Now it's Sharapova's turn to take to the stage to receive the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. She lifts the trophy before cradling it in her arms. The seventh seed then shakes her head as the Russian national anthem rings out,. It's as if she can't believe that she has become the first Russian to win the same Grand Slam twice.

More from Maria Sharapova: "The atmosphere at the French Open is always so great with all the countries supporting their players. There were a lot of Romanians here today, but there were a few Russians too although they were a bit quieter!"

Image source, BBC Sport

"This is the toughest Grand Slam final I have ever played and all respect to Simona, she played an unbelievable match today," says Sharapova who, with this victory, moves to second place on the all-time prize money earnings. Serena Williams still tops that particular table.

Image source, AFP

Sharapova is now the 12th woman to win five or more Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.

"It's a dream come true," she says. "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." The tears start to flow and the cheers become louder.

The presentation stage is being set up as I type and Halep is starring into the middle-distance. A throng of photographers have gathered by the net and are directing their lenses towards Sharapova, who seems to be texting, or maybe she is refreshing this live text commentary.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Simona Halep will be bitterly disappointed after coming back, and boy, did she push Sharapova so close. But she was not quite strong enough at the end and Sharapova is the champion.

"She will be number five in the world, but she is now a five-time Grand Slam champion, she draws level with Martina Hingis, and she has proved to be one of the feistiest clay court competitors around."

The crowd chant in support of the defeated Halep and the Romanian, overcome with emotion, places her palms over eyes in a desperate attempt to hide her tears.

Image source, Reuters

Sharapova is sprawled on the red dirt and hiding her face. Are there tears? It's difficult to tell. The Russian soon regains the feeling in her feet and races towards her support group for hugs and high-fives.

Image source, Reuters

This wonderful match is now into its fourth hour with the courtside clock showing that three hours and one minutes have ticked by since the drama began. Sharapova purring. A shoulder-high volley easing her to 30-0 and she soon collects three match points.

Halep retreating, a looping backhand is the best she can do and Sharapova's legs give way as she watches the ball bounce wide. Sharapova is the French Open champion.

Halep and the umpire exchange words after the opening point, but HawkEye awards the point in Sharapova's favour. The ball out by the width of a butterfly's wing.

If ever there was a set for thrill-seekers then this is it. Sharapova sprinting like panther across the baseline to unleash dazzling crosscourt forehand winner. Three break points and the Russian is ruthless, grabbing her opportunity to serve for the match.

Image source, Twitter

Talking about nail-biting endings, Novak Djokovic is preparing for his final against Rafael Nadal with a game of chess against Boris Becker. He's tweeted this picture above,, external and by the look of the strain on Boris' face, he's already got his coach in a spot of bother.