2018 - FRENCH OPEN - FRANCE

Roland Garros 2018: The final in pictures

All the best shots as Simona Halep became a Slam champion for the first time with victory over Sloane Stephens.

01 /22
The 2018 Roland Garros final paired two players seeking to lift the trophy in Paris for the first time, and started with three service holds (Getty)
02 /22
Early baseline exchanges were magnificent from both, but Sloane Stephens' combination of offence and defence seemed impenetrable (Getty)
03 /22
Simona Halep, striking her forehand with ferocity, was mindful of the need to stay aggressive (Getty)
04 /22
However, Halep was unable to hit through Stephens' defence - and the American captured the first break of the match (Getty)
05 /22
As the set drew on, the intensity of the rallies grew as Halep battled to claw her way back into the match (Getty)
06 /22
Though Stephens' defence seemed wall-like, the American's flashing forehand also ensured that she could win offensively as well (Getty)
07 /22
Halep finally carved out a break point as Stephens attempted to serve out the set - but could not convert it, and was left to ponder a change of tactics (Getty)
08 /22
Sloane Stephens celebrates taking a brilliantly contested first set 6-3 (Getty)
09 /22
Picking up where she left off in the first set, Stephens broke Halep again and moved to a 2-0 lead in the second set (Getty)
10 /22
But Halep continued to think clearly and adjust her tactics - and broke twice in a row, reeling off four games in a row (Getty)
11 /22
Stephens had played immaculate tennis for a set, but was beginning to leak errors and get caught out by Halep's changes of direction (Getty)
12 /22
Though Stephens levelled the second set at 4-4, Halep proved her mental fortitude in taking the next two tightly contested games to square the match at a set all (Getty)
13 /22
Stephens reacts to dropping just the second set in her seventh career final (Getty)
14 /22
Firing on all cylinders now, Halep was the first to break in the third set, carving out a 5-0 lead - having won 11 out of 13 games from a set and a break down (Getty)
15 /22
Stephens continued to strike ferocious winners - but their frequency was declining now, and her frustration showed (Getty)
16 /22
Halep underscored her hold on the deciding set by capturing a breathtaking fourth game to move up a double break (Getty)
17 /22
After three major final losses, Simona Halep's joy showed as she became a Slam champion at last on her first match point (Getty)
18 /22
Ten years after winning the girls' Roland Garros title and four years after losing her first Slam final here, Simona Halep finally had a major trophy of her own (Getty)
19 /22
Sloane Stephens warmly congratulated Simona Halep on the Romanian's first Slam title (Getty)
20 /22
Halep climbed into the stands to celebrate with coach Darren Cahill (Getty)
21 /22
Simona Halep kisses her long-awaited Coupe Suzanne Lenglen (Getty)
22 /22
Champion Simona Halep and runner-up Sloane Stephens with their trophies (Getty)

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