Image source, Reuters

Sharapova hasn't always been able to rely on her serve in moments of high-tension, and seeds of doubt are sown as the seventh seed falls 15-30 behind.

A double fault. Two break points. The ticket holders slow clapping. "Thank you," says the umpire as he calls for hush.

One break point is saved, but the Russian botches a forehand - slapping it into the tramlines - and we're back on serve.

Halep rattles off two points in succession to skip to a nerve-easing 30-0 lead. Sharapova is unable to pose any problems in this game as the Halep serves pack a weighty punch. A hold to love and all eyes turn to Sharapova.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"I have a feeling that Simona is a little bit uncomfortable right now. It's very important she play just one point at a time, and forget the occasion. Easier said than done, but we know what a good front runner Maria is."

Image source, Getty Images

Sharapova has hit 17 winners so far in this match - 10 more than her opponent - and the seventh seed is stifling her rival, pinning the Romanian onto the baseline, and Halep can do little to prevent the Russian from holding comfortably and moving to within a game of this opening set.

The umpire asks for silence so that Halep can launch her flame-throwers without the din of Gallic whoops and hollers ringing in her ears. But it's impossible to stop the spectators from breaking out in raucous cheers as they watch an improvised Sharapova lob bouncing inside the baseline, leaving a back-pedalling Halep swishing in vain.

Two break points to Sharapova and she only needs the one, a clinical winner down the line and there's daylight between the pair.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"It's turned into a battle already, the feel of the match is like it is in the third set. It's very hot and humid, and we know that Maria can have trouble in the heat."

Image source, AFP

Sharapova hitting with such ferocity that Halep is forced to spray her returns into the tramlines, but the Russian is not at her consistent best and the Romanian has a chance at deuce.

Big hitting from the baseline, both players absorbing sever blows and we experience the whole medley - advantage, deuce, a break point. Wonderful.

Sharapova swings at fresh air and we return to deuce once more, for the forth time in this endless, absorbing, gripping game, before the Russian eventually wriggles free, with a Halep backhand drifting wide and long.

Kirsty MacAlpine:, external This French Open final is only four games old, but it's the best quality tennis we've seen in a final at Roland Garros for years.

Jenn Laws: "I know it has been said before but is there nothing that can be done to stop that infernal screeching! Totally unnecessary in my opinion."

Don't forget to include your name and location when texting your thoughts in on today's match.

Karen Palmer:, external If Halep can keep Sharapova moving out wide and using the drop shot wisely, she'll have this in the bag.

Ben Amadi-Emina:, external Sharapova making too many first serve errors. Halep's confidence is growing with each one. MaSha needs to wake up quickly.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"While Sharapova usually carries the intimidation factor on court, her team in the stands is a bit outnumbered today. The Russian's coach Sven Groeneveld is one of three permanently baseball-capped figures overseeing her matches but, across the other side of the VIP box, Halep has 12 supporters decked out in bright red t-shirts. A few Romanian flags are fluttering elsewhere and she has the edge in the locals' affections, for now."

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"So many times Maria Sharapova has proven she is one of the best, if not the best, competitor on the circuit."

Image source, Reuters

At 15-15 the finalist pull each other from side to side on the baseline in a lengthy rally and it's Sharapova who wilts, ballooning a forehand long.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, however, is prepared to gamble like a high roller at a Las Vegas casino and, on this occasion, she who dares is rewarded - a forehand winner down the line and Sharapova has break point. Halep saves one break point, though, and another. The underdog digging in, but is punished by Sharapova for an ill-timed drop shot. Third break point, but Halep sees of the Russian.

The crowd are oh la la-ing, and rightly so, as Sharapova, going for the lines, hits another forehand boomer for a fourth break point and, this time, Halep crumbles and parity is restored.

Plenty of sunhats and shades on display around Phillipe Chatrier as the Parisians bask in another sunny day in the capital. Sharapova performing like a nervy apprentice, wobbling to 30-30 before easing to within a point of holding courtesy of a crisp forehand winner. Both players then approach the net, the crowd shriek in eager anticipation of a series of quick-fire volleys, but Halep slaps a volley into the tape before the fun can truly begin.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"Simona does not look too nervous out there, she looks very comfortable. It's important for her now that see keeps up the intensity against Sharapova, because she plays every point like it is a match point."

Image source, AFP

Sharapova has lost the opening set in her last three matches in this tournament so perhaps we shouldn't read too much into that nervy opener from the former champion.

The Russian has plenty of weapons in her armoury - lasering a forehand crosscourt winner for 15-15 and approaching the net for another winner on the forehand side for 30-30. To deuce we go and the crowd reserve their biggest cheer for Halep, thanks to a thumping winner down the line for advantage. And the fourth seed sees off a wrong-footed Sharapova with a booming forehand winner at the net for an edgy hold.

Barbara Schett
Former world number seven on BBC Radio 5 live

"Very smart play from Simona, I love the way she opens the court up with those cross-court angles. She will get Maria out of her comfort zone, and although she has improved on clay I still don't think Maria's movement on this surface is that good."

Stephen Jones:, external I'd love a Halep win, she's great to watch. Think this one has 3 sets written all over it.

Image source, AFP

Warm applause for both players as they take to their positions for the start of this ding-dong. A steely-eyed Sharapova, in a peach and pink ensemble, gets the match under way by launching her first serve into the tape and it's a sloppy opening from the Russian, giving Halep a sniff at 15-30 with two duff forehands.

Anxiety gripping both players as Halep, this time, plonks a simple forehand into the tape. Silence on Chatrier adding to the tension. Sharapova closes to within a point of holding, but throws in a double fault and we're at deuce. Forehand long Sharapova. Break point - and Sharapova is forced to screw a forehand wide!

The umpire warns the finalist that they have one minute to finish off their preparations and battle will commence. Sharapova is pinging over some serves while Halep is dancing on the baseline.