Halep to Meet Sharapova in French Open Finals
The highest remaining seed left on the women’s side at Roland Garros, the fourth-seeded 22-year-old Simona Halep, withstood a second set comeback from Germany’s Andrea Petkovic to advance to the finals of the 2014 French Open after her 6-2, 7-6(4) Thursday afternoon. After making quick work in the first set, Halep held on to take the second set en route to her first appearance in the finals of a Grand Slam event in just 89 minutes.
"I'm very emotional and I feel amazing now knowing I will play the final here in Paris," Halep said. "Andrea was very tough and she is a good player, but I was a little bit stronger in the end and am so happy to get through.”
Awaiting Halep in the finals is world number eight Maria Sharapova, who defeated young Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 earlier in the day. Sharapova is seeking her second French Open championship, having taken home the title in 2012.
"I tried my best and did everything I could to win this match and want to thank everyone here today, because you all helped me win,” said Halep after the victory. “I have a lot of confidence in myself and am looking forward to the final now and hopefully playing another good match."
Halep captured the 2008 French Open Junior Championship and will seek to win her first ever Grand Slam on Saturday. Halep’s manager, Virginia Ruzici, won the French Open in 1978.
Halep and Sharapova have met three times over the course of their respective careers, with Sharapova holding a 3-0 record to date. The two last met in the finals of the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open in Spain where Sharapova captured the title with a 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 win.
