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Simona Halep: French Open Win One Of 2018’s Biggest Stories

By Harry Floyd

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Simona Halep of Romania holds the trophy as she celebrates victory following the ladies singles final against Sloane Stephens of The United States during day fourteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Simona Halep of Romania holds the trophy as she celebrates victory following the ladies singles final against Sloane Stephens of The United States during day fourteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 9, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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World number one Simona Halep had an incredibly emotional year. Her tour featured one of the biggest Grand Slam stories of 2018.

Romanian tennis star Simona Halep entered the year as a top contender in women’s singles tennis. It seemed as though a Grand Slam singles title was finally right around the corner. At Melbourne Park, Halep knocked out Eugenie Bouchard in the round of 64. Then, she advanced deeper into the action, defeating the likes of Lauren Davis, Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova, and Angelique Kerber.

To the finals she went, facing another top player in Caroline Wozniacki. The Danish tennis star was also seeking her first career Grand Slam singles title.

Two of the best players on the WTA Tour came face to face in the finals at Melbourne Park. They came in as expected, number one and two seeds at the Australian Open, almost destined to take on one another. Wozniacki would, however, jump out on top after a tough first set.

The 2018 French Open was Simona Halep’s chance at Grand Slam redemption. She took full advantage of it.

Halep bounced back, forcing a third set. Then, Wozniacki took the momentum and closed out a three-set Grand Slam finals win over the Romanian tennis star. Halep would have to wait for another shot at major tournament glory. Fortunately for her, she would not have to wait too long.

At Roland Garros, Halep reemerged for a shot at redemption. The Romanian great would go on yet another impressive run, defeating the likes of Elise Mertens, Angelique Kerber, and Garbine Muguruza before reaching the finals. There, she came up against American tennis star Sloane Stephens who had made herself a headline name in women’s singles after winning the 2017 US Open. And, it was Stephens who jumped out on top during the French Open finals.

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Simona Halep rallied though, forcing a third and final set against Stephens where she would cruise to victory. Her comeback Grand Slam run was incredibly emotional and must go down as one of the biggest stories on the 2018 WTA Tour. While injuries began to take their toll later in the year, the Romanian great solidified her place in tennis history and a strong off season should make her one of the players to beat in the coming year.

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