Having spent a combined 31 weeks as the World's number-one female tennis player, Simona Halep has finally claimed her maiden Grand Slam win.
The 26-year-old Romanian came from one set behind to beat the American Sloane Stephens in this afternoon's tremendous French Open final.
Her fourth final appearance, Halep recently lost this year's Australian Open to Caroline Wozniacki; the Dane ending her own disappointing run at slam events in the process.
The wait is over for @Simona_Halep
She wins her first Grand Slam title 🏆 #RG18 pic.twitter.com/1PtzgQs3dE— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 9, 2018
Thoroughly dominating her younger opponent in the third set, Halep saw out a 6-1 win in some style.
The moment @Simona_Halep became Roland-Garros champion!#RG18 pic.twitter.com/S1dDoOhwpp
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
Breaking a dejected looking Stephens in the fourth game of their final set, the energy Halep still possessed so late in the match was nothing short of astounding.
Breaking in style.@Simona_Halep takes a 4-0 lead and inches closer to her first Grand Slam title.
7e jeu consécutif remporté par la Roumaine, qui prend à présent les commandes du match dans ce 3e set. Simona Halep qui se rapproche d'un premier titre ici à Roland-Garros#RG18 pic.twitter.com/mQDTZQKBKp— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
Keeping true to tradition, Halep made a quick beeline for her team watching on.
It takes a village.@Simona_Halep climbs up to thank her team.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/HuR0w5e6Tt
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2018
Finally ending her long wait for a slam victory, Halep's successful third attempt at this tournament made "a whole lot of people smile":
What a joy to watch Simona Halep win her maiden Grand Slam title!!! I am crying with her! HAIDE, SIMONA!!! 🇷🇴 #RolandGarros
— Analette (@analette) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep one game away from making a whole lot of people smile
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep, your time is now.
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep wins her first grand slam title in her fourth final, fighting back from a set and a break down to beat Sloane Stephens 3-6 6-4 6-1. #RolandGarros
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) June 9, 2018
It’s all about patience and ward work. Huge congrats to @Simona_Halep 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Big champ
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep is a Grand Slam champion.
A more deserving first-time winner it would be hard to find.— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) June 9, 2018
Simonaa!You deserve this title more then anyone🏆 @rolandgarros 🙌Huge congratulations!🎊🎊🎊 @Simona_Halep
— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) June 9, 2018
What a match - Simona Halep comes back from a set down to win #RG18
Sloane Stephens played so well throughout but you could tell how much Halep wanted to win her 1st Grand Slam 👏👏— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) June 9, 2018
Amazing. So deserved @Simona_Halep #RG18
— Katie Swan (@Katieswan99) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep is the first ever "Slamless #1" to win a Slam while #1.
Given all the crap that gets thrown at the women who have been in that role, it hasn't been easy. Strong woman, this Simona. #RG18— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 9, 2018
Lots of long-awaited first titles happening in sports in the last 8 months:
World Series: Houston Astros
Super Bowl: Philadelphia Eagles
Stanley Cup: Washington Capitals
Grand Slams: Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 9, 2018
Simona Halep is the first tennis player from Romania to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Ruzici did it exactly 40 years ago, also at #RolandGarros.
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) June 9, 2018
Heck ya @Simona_Halep !! Well deserved first major championship!
— Landon Harwell (@landoah42) June 9, 2018
I’m crying for Halep, tbh. So deserved. 😭
— Kaiser@Celebitchy (@KaiseratCB) June 9, 2018
