Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"You will always get an opportunity, because when they get this close to winning the player ahead will get nervous and that's why Simona is still in this."

Sharapova opens with a double fault and could this be another blooper of a service game from the Russian? From 0-15 to 15-30 we go as Sharapova slaps a forehand into the tape, but the seventh seed responds stoically - an ace down the 'T', her third ace of the match, and we're at 30-30.

This match is Hitchcockian on the nerves as Sharapova runs around to her forehand, nets, and gives out a despairing groan. Break point Halep and her rival surrenders with a whimper. Double fault and we're even-stevens. Again.

Image source, AFP

Blood pressures rising courtside in the heat of the battle as spectators fan themselves with all sorts of paraphernalia. Halep ice-cool in adversity, holding to 30 and she strides towards her seat still in contention.

Two thunderous forehands into the corner and Sharapova goes 40-0 up. Another forehand winner follows, down the other side this time, and the iron-willed Russian doesn't look as if she is prepared to let this opportunity slip.

Jack Grummitt:, external If this were Wimbledon, the support for Halep would be deafening. Player playing properly in regard to both her game & attitude.

Image source, AFP

Triple break points Sharapova, and the Russian is eager to throw her opponent into the dungeon and throw away the key. The Russian goes long on a forehand, allowing the Romanian to save one break point. Halep successfully defends the second break point but eventually she folds and Sharapova raises her arms skywards and gives out a deafening scream.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"Maria's in control now, it looked like it was Simona's time but then the momentum changes - it's amazing how many times it has changed today."

Halep has proven herself on the big stage. The 22-year-old forces the game to deuce after being 40-15 down, and Sharapova is having trouble closing this game out. Her backhand is her enemy and the Romanian has a break point.

The seventh seed ups the ante and Halep crumbles, before pouncing again with a venomous shoulder-high volley. Second break point. Crafty from Sharapova as the pair tussle from the baseline and the Russian lives on.

Halep nets a return. A lone voice in the crowd yelps "yes", Sharapova clenches her fist. Halep scoops a backhand wide and the Russian gives out a war-like cry.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"Sam Stosur, Garbine Muguruza and Eugenie Bouchard have all succumbed to the iron will of Sharapova in final sets this week, and the Russian has won her last 19 deciding sets on clay, but Halep is showing no sign of following suit at the moment. Quite a performance on a Grand Slam final debut."

A swing of the hips from Halep and she battles back to 30-30 with a clean forehand winner. She's soon punching the air in delight, sending Sharapova hither and thither until the bedraggled Russian can take no more.

Image source, AFP

Groans from Sharapova's fans as twice she double faults for 15-30. Halep, sensing an opportunity, is gambolling on the baseline like a prized fighter and she has to do little but watch Sharapova net for double break points.

The Romanian pulls Sharapova towards the net and the seventh seed goes wide with a crosscourt volley.

Tony McMahon:, external Maria's lengthy stoppage there was a touch unfair and the umpire should have curtailed it.

Trevor Nicholls:, external If Sharapova wins I hope the organisers make her wait for the trophy.

Steve Bradley:, external Sharapova totally disrespecting her opponent with that ridiculous 'cheat' break. Come on.

Sharapova emerges from the locker room holding two large bottles of liquid and receives a splattering of applause. Perhaps ominously for Halep, the seventh seed has won 26 of her last 27 matches on clay which have been decided in three sets.

Halep swings wide, gifting Sharapova two break points, and it's another "come on" from the Russian as she watches a Halep forehand bounce a fraction beyond the baseline.

Ayo Obit:, external After today, no one would be asking again "Who is Simona Halep?" Amazing stuff! 3rd set, let's go!

It seemed as if the match belonged to Sharapova, but through resolve and single-mindedness the 22-year-old Halep has forced this high-class contest into a decider. It's the first time a women's French Open final has been decided in three sets since 2001.

Sharapova has left the court, perhaps gone in search of her composure, while Halep is on her feet, swinging from side to side.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"What a great effort from Simona, she really stepped up and believed she could win that set. At 5-3 in the tie-break Maria was only two points away, but credit to Simona for staying tough mentally."

Image source, AFP

This match has proved to be more gripping than a who-done-it episode of Coronation Street, though these days we are told who the culprit is. Anyway, where are we? Ah, yes, 5-3 and Sharapova is taking an age over her serve, but she should have taken more care over the crosscourt forehand as she goes wide. 5-4.

Halep has already proved herself to be a street fighter of some distinction and she wins two points on her serve to move to within a point of the second set. 6-5 to the Romanian. Sharapova closes her eyes and tries to block out the raucous noise, but she cannot find her zen and we're into a decider [permission to add 10 exclamation marks, if you so wish].

Halep is the first to creak, netting to allow Sharapova to steal a point and inch 2-1 ahead. But both players are gripped by anxiety as Sharapova throws away a point on her serve, too. 2-2.

"Come on," screams the Russian as she sneaks ahead once more at 3-2 and it's the seventh seed who leads at the changeover. A 4-2 advantage for Sharapova and the if she can collect a further three points the championship will be hers.

Akash Kansagra:, external This is a seriously high quality women's final! The irresistible force vs the immovable object. Deserves a 3rd set.

Dave, Cumbria: "I'm sorry, but the elephant in the room is why Sharapova is clearly grunting/yelling much louder and longer during Halep's service games? I think it is obvious why. Unbelievable."