PARIS, June 9, 2018

World No. 1 Simona Halep secured her maiden Grand Slam title with a relentless performance, winning Saturday’s singles final at Roland Garros against US-American Sloane Stephens.

The 26-year-old from Romania had lost her three previous major showpiece encounters – including twice at the French Open – but recovered from a set and a break down to win 3-6, 6-4 ,6-1 in two hours and three minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

“I was dreaming for this moment since I’ve started to play tennis,” Halep told the press.

“When I was down a break in the second set I thought ‘Everything is gone, I’m gonna start to relax and enjoy the match,’ and I came back.

“It’s my favorite Grand Slam. I always said that if I’m going to win one, I want it to be here. It’s real now…

“My family was all the time supporting me since I started to play tennis, also all the coaches and all the people that I have worked during this 20 years. Thanks to them, because it’s tough to keep working every day at the highest level.

“All the friends, all the people that are really special for me in this life. Without them probably I couldn’t, you know, come back after losing three finals of Grand Slam. But now I want just to forget everything and just enjoying this moment because it’s really special.”

Halep joins Virginia Ruzici as only the second Romanian women’s champion at Roland Garros in 40 years. It also marks 10 years since she lifted the Junior title in Paris.