Image source, BBC Sport

The players are now warming-up on Philippe Chatrier and, surprisingly, the majority of spectators are already in their seats. Hopefully the quartet of Romanian fans who were earlier flying their national flag outside the stadium have found their way into Philippe Chatrier. (Take a left, then your first right, walk up the stairs, weave through a phalanx of spectators eating waffles and you're nearly there.)

Daniel Miller:, external It's on Maria's racquet this arvo. If she cuts down on the errors, I think she'll get it. Wouldn't rule Halep out though...

Maria Sharapova is captured on camera climbing up a few steps which means the Russian will soon appear from what is often referred to as the bowels of the stadium. It's a glorious day in the French capital, perfect for tennis, but who do the conditions favour? Who will come out on top this afternoon? Text us your chit-chat on 81111 or tweet #bbctennis.

What's left to be said about the most followed female athlete on Facebook and the highest-paid female athlete in the world? If statistics alone won tennis matches then this contest would belong to the seventh seed Sharapova.

- The Russian has beaten today's opponent on three previous occasions.

- She is contesting her third consecutive Roland Garros final.

- And the 27-year-old is bidding to become the 12th player to win five or more Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.

Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has put her money on Maria Sharapova's big-match experience being a defining factor in this final. , external

"It made a massive difference for me, playing my second Grand Slam final, compared with my first one," Bartoli said.

"If Maria starts as badly as she has in the last three matches, Simona will win. But on the other hand, because Maria struggled so much during those last three matches, she will find a way to win. Especially in that third set [against Bouchard], she played really well.

"I think she can carry on this momentum."

Image source, Getty Images

Ah, June 1980. Barbra Streisand's Woman in Love had yet to hit the charts and Steve McQueen and John Lennon were still alive. How much was a pint of milk? Oh, come on, we're better than that. Actually, it would have set you back 17p. A pint of beer? You would have received £4.65 change from a fiver. A loaf of bread? About 33p. Stop this madness, I hear you say. Ok then.

Image source, Getty Images

Halep is the first Romanian woman to reach a Grand Slam final in 34 years. Blow away the dust and cobwebs covering your 1980 Tennis Annual and you'll find that the last Romanian to do so was Virginia Ruzici, who lost to Chris Evert. By way of perfect symmetry, Ruzici is now Halep's manager.

"You cannot believe what a star she is at home," says Ruzici of her compatriot. "If Simona could win a Grand Slam, it would have a huge impact on Romanian tennis. There are already lots of girls playing the sport because of her."

The fourth seed is competing in her first Grand Slam final and should she beat Maria Sharapova, she will become the eighth different women's champion at Roland Garros in eight years.

If you're unfamiliar with Simona Halep then the reason for that may be because this time last year the 22-year-old had never won a WTA title.

But since her first-round exit at last year's French Open she has gone on to accumulate seven titles and, in the words of Piers Newbery, victory today would cap an astonishing year.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

After a cloudy start, the sun has broken through and a high of 28C is forecast this afternoon at Roland Garros. There were a few partisan supporters to be found wandering the grounds in the build-up but more 'Rafa' flags and t-shirts than anything else.

There's one day to wait for them, but the big moment has arrived for Sharapova and, especially, Halep in her first Grand Slam final. The Roland Garros programme has this down as 'The Rebel v The Icon', with Halep apparently representing the new generation against the "plus ancienne". Bit harsh.

Former British number one Anne Keothavong:, external Simona Halep has been one of my favourite players to watch in the past 12 months. Eager to see how she handles the occasion today

Hello! Welcome to live text commentary of the women's French Open final where Maria Sharapova, a woman with one French Open title to her name, takes on first-time finalist Simona Halep.

It's an intriguing plot and the story will definitely come to a conclusion today, which is good news for those who enjoy free-flowing page-turners.

Image source, Getty Images

Experience is a perk which comes with age. Lessons have been learnt from victories and defeats; wisdom gained from mistakes, mishaps and misjudgements. But, then, there's youth, with its irrepressible energy and boundless enthusiasm. Yet to be crushed by life's setbacks and disappointment. But which prevails? Youth or experience? Know-how or fearlessness?