SIMONA HALEP WINS FRENCH OPENpublished at 16:15 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 6-1 Stephens
Simona Halep is a Grand Slam champion!
Image source, Getty ImagesSummary
Simona Halep beats Sloane Stephens 3-6 6-4 6-1
World number one Halep wins first Grand Slam title
Halep was beaten by Jelena Ostapenko in last year's final
SIMONA HALEP WINS FRENCH OPENpublished at 16:15 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
*Halep 3-6 6-4 5-1 Stephens
Here it is. A huge intake of breath from the crowd but Halep puts away the smash.
Championship point to Simona Halep...
Postpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
*Halep 3-6 6-4 5-1 Stephens
Two massive forehands from Sloane Stephens. Did I speak too soon?
30-30.
Postpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
*Halep 3-6 6-4 5-1 Stephens
An ace from Halep. Not something I've written yet today.
30-15.
Two points away.
Postpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Chanda Rubin
American former world number six on Radio 5 liveNothing is simple at this moment of a match when you are trying to win your first Grand Slam. Simona Halep has to stay as calm as possible to try and close it out.
Stephens holdspublished at 16:12 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
*Halep 3-6 6-4 5-1 Stephens
Fair play to Sloane Stephens. At 0-30 she looked done.
The American fights through but she's still got an awful lot to do.
Halep to serve for the French Open and her first Grand Slam title...
Postpublished at 16:10 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
US Open champion Sloane Stephens finds a big serve at a crucial time. 40-30.
But Halep looks like she could run and run all day.
Deuce.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
And another 30-30.
Postpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
Okay... maybe she has a little left. The weary Stephens gets one point back.
15-30.
Postpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
The first two points go to Simona Halep.
Stephens has nothing left.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Chanda Rubin
American former world number six on Radio 5 liveThis will be stomach-churning, heart-racing, mind everywhere for Simona Halep.
Postpublished at 16:07 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
The TV Camera zooms in on Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen as both players taker a seat for what could be the last time.
Up Halep steps. "Simona, Simona, Simona."
Yep it's that chant again. This is the moment she's waited her whole career for.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
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Joel Newhman: This is likely to be the most exciting bagel set ever ever
Postpublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 5-0 Stephens*
Boom. A crunching backhand winner.
A perfect game from Halep. She serves it out to love in an instant. No sign of serves.
She's a game away.
Postpublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland GarrosOh. My. Word! Chatrier is almost entirely on its feet after that point which ended in another break for Halep.
Stephens can't quite believe she's lost it. Turning slowly, Eric Cantona-style, without lofting her arms in celebration.
Instead her arms go on to her hips, standing motionless for about 10 seconds as she wonders how Halep nicked that.
Postpublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on 5 live in ParisWhat an astonishing point and it's worth it's weight in gold if you're a fan of Simona Halep. She is two games away from becoming a Grand Slam champion for the first time.
Halep breakspublished at 16:02 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
*Halep 3-6 6-4 4-0 Stephens
What. A. Point.
On and on it goes until both players find themselves at the net. Halep stretches and gets one back, Stephens does the same. Halep once more on the stretch... And Stephens can'y get there.
World number one Simona Halep is on the brink of a first Grand Slam.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 16:02 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 3-0 Stephens*
A net cord at the perfect time for Halep. She apologises but I don't think she's too sorry.
A break point for 4-0 to Halep.
Postpublished at 16:00 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Halep 3-6 6-4 3-0 Stephens*
Sensational from Simona Halep. It gets the fans back up out of their seats. Again and again both players are pushed side to side before Halep pings a backhand cross court on the slide.
Deuce.
Postpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 9 June 2018
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Roland GarrosI think Sloane Stephens' head has gone a little bit. Simona Halep has got inside it and making her do things which she wasn't earlier in the match.
That's typified by that drop-shot into the net for 0-30, leaving the American turning around to her box and flopping her arms towards her team in a 'What the hell was I doing' manner.
Oh, and then she cracks a stunning winner...
Image source, Getty Images