Simona Halep produced a performance of immense of quality to end Garbine Muguruza’s run in straight sets, and reach her third Grand Slam final. Halep’s victory which ensures that she will retain top spot inn the WTA rankings courtesy of a 6-1 6-4 scoreline was as convincing as it was brilliant.
The Romanian’s dominance in the first set bamboozled Muguruza and not least those basking in glowing sun in attendance on Phillippe Chatrier. Halep established a commanding 5-0 lead in less than half an hour and broke the Spaniard’s serve on four occasions.
Muguruza who had steamrolled past Sam Stosur and Maria Sharapova with distinction in her previous two matches was lethargic throughout and struggling to impose her power game. The Spaniard had decimated Halep on their last meeting back in the finals of Cincinatti last year by a measly score of 6-1 6-0, but she staring down the barrel when Halep won the first set inside 36 minutes.
The second set meant to bring a change of fortune for Muguruza who had yet to win a service game. She settled and led for the most part. The 2016 Roland Garros champion was two games away from taking the match into a deciding set before Halep rallied back.
An almighty ninth game in the second set which seemed to last forever was the decisive moment in the match. Muguruza had three break point chances which would have given her the opportunity to force a third set, but Haelp held on prompting a huge sigh from coach Darren Cahill.
Muguruza felt the impact of letting such an advantage slip through her racket, and she paid a price when she was broken to love in the subsequent game to hand Halep a third crack at the Coupe Suzzane Lenglen on Saturday against Sloane Stephens or Madison Keys.
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