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French Open: women’s singles final features new generation

By Harry Floyd

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 07: Sloane Stephens of The United States is congratulated on victory by Madison Keys of The United States following the ladies singles semi-final match during day twelve of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 07: Sloane Stephens of The United States is congratulated on victory by Madison Keys of The United States following the ladies singles semi-final match during day twelve of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The 2018 French Open final is set in women’s singles. World number one Simona Halep is taking on American Sloane Stephens.

Action at the 2018 French Open sees world number one Simona Halep taking on US Open champion Sloane Stephens. The two players represent a rising tide in women’s singles tennis. Halep is 26-years-old and one of the best in the sport. Stephens, at just 25-years-old, is arguably right there with her. The young American tennis star is already a Grand Slam champion, having won the 2017 US Open title.

Halep and Stephens square off for a Roland Garros final that can go either way.

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The world number one has largely dominated the sport throughout the past two years. She has seen several runner-up finishes in Grand Slam events, including one last year at the French Open. Halep appears destined to win a major tournament title any time now. The 2018 French Open is another shot at glory for the Romanian great. Even if Stephens emerges on top though, these two players being featured is significant.

Veteran greats such as Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams are losing ground to the likes of Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens among others.

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While Venus Williams has seen success throughout the past year, she splashed out of the 2018 French Open early on. Sister Serena put on a stellar run for having seen limited playing time since becoming a new mother. Russian great Sharapova made it to the quarterfinals, but her overall play has been hit and miss since her return to the WTA Tour. Women’s singles tennis could be seeing a new generation of players taking hold. Earlier this year, Caroline Wozniacki won her first career Grand Slam title. The Danish tennis star, despite having loads of success in her young career, is just 27-years-old and entering her prime. Halep is right there with her.

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The 2018 WTA Tour represents a changing of the guard in women’s singles tennis. The French Open is a continuation of what the sport has been seeing for a while now. Young stars are rising to the occasion and challenging the veteran greats. Players such as Jelena Ostapenko and Garbine Muguruza have already proven themselves, but it is becoming more and more competitive throughout the sport. With Stephens’ win at the US Open last year, Wozniacki’s win at Melbourne Park earlier this year, and the French Open destined to see a new young champion, women’s tennis is ushering in a stellar set of new players.

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