Maria Sharapova was crownd the women's singles champion of the 2014 French Open after defeating worthy challenger Simona Halep of Romania in three sets, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 on Saturday in Paris, France.
It was a hard-earned victory for the who was seeded 7th and who beat the 4th seed Romanian in this Grand Slam.
“If somebody had told me at some stage in my career that I'd have more Roland Garros titles than any other Grand Slam, I'd probably go get drunk. Or tell them to get drunk, one or the other,” Sharapova said via the tournament's official website.
“You're not just born being a natural clay-court player … certainly not me. I didn't grow up on it; didn't play on it. I just took it upon myself to make myself better on it."
She was the better player in the championship match which took over three hours to finish. She was the best player in the tournament as well netting her second French Open title after a 2012 win. This was her fifth Grand Slam title winning all of the majors now in her career-- Australian Open in 2008, Wimbledon in 2004 and US Open in 2006.
“To look back seven or eight years and to think that I would be in that position, I would come through against an opponent that makes you play and hit and run and hits so many shots and recover in conditions that start from cold to being warm today. So much adversity is thrown at you, and I'm just proud I came through and I adjusted in all different situations and I end up with this (the trophy)," Sharapova added.
View the slide show for more images from the 2014 French Open.
Maria Sharapova of Russia arrives in the dressing room with her trophy after winning the women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014.REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia poses with her trophy in the dressing room after winning the women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia (2ndL) holds her trophy as she poses with her coach Sven Groeneveld (L) and team in the dressing room after winning the women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014.
REUTERSMaria Sharapova won her second French Open title in June. The Russian athlete first won the French Open trophy in 2012. Sharapova was the No. 7 seed in the Roland Garros tournament. She cruised past the first three rounds, beating Ksenia Pervak, Tsvetana Pironkova, and Paula Ormaechea. She beat Australian Samantha Stosur in the fourth round, extending her career advantage over Stosur to 14-2. Sharapova defeated Garbine Muguruza and Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. In the finale, Sharapova defeated Simona Halep in straight sets to win her second Roland Garros trophy.
Sharapova ranks fourth in the WTA world rankings. She will play next in the inaugural Wuhan Open.
REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia poses with her trophy in the dressing room after winning the women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after winning her women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014.REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia poses with the trophy during the ceremony after defeating Simona Halep of Romania during their women's singles final match to win the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia reacts after winning her women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. REUTERSMaria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after winning her women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. ReutersMaria Sharapova of Russia kisses the trophy as she poses during the ceremony after defeating Simona Halep of Romania during their women's singles final match to win the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 7, 2014. REUTERS
