We are at the ultimate match of this year’s French Open. On Saturday, Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep will compete for the women’s title. Halep is looking for her first career Major title. Stephens is aiming for her second, having won last year’s US Open. Either way, though, we look set for a thriller in Paris. Predicting the match are writers Brett Margolies, Jay Sandhu, and Linda Ellis, along with editors Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg.
French Open Women’s Final Predictions
Simona Halep vs Sloane Stephens
Linda:
I am going with Sloane Stephens. Although Halep leads the head to head matchup, this is the final of a Major. Stephens has shown her mental toughness in defeating close friend Madison keys to win the US Open title in 2017. Stephens has now followed that up by once again defeating Keys to reach the final in Paris. Halep does not possess the power of Keys, and Stephens has shown she is one of the best movers in the game. Although Halep has worked on her mental toughness for just this moment, I don’t believe she has any weapons to really hurt Stephens. I think Halep’s ability to retrieve balls will keep her in the match but not lead her to a win.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Brett:
This should be a great final as both players are playing well heading into the final. Halep tends to fall apart in Grand Slam finals, so it will be interesting to see if she can get over the hurdle. Stephens, on the other hand, showed no signs of nerves in her one Grand Slam final win in New York last year. I think Stephens has been too consistent throughout these two weeks. I like her chances to win her second Major on Saturday.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Steen:
Stephens will give it her best shot but Halep is the favorite for a reason. She’s better on clay and the more accomplished player. The favorite deserves the pick here.
Prediction: Halep in 2
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Jay:
Simona Halep appears to be the clear favourite to win this match, which probably means she won’t win it. She was the clear favourite last year as well to beat Ostapenko and (somehow) managed to find a way to lose. Stephens is one of the best movers on tour, and while Halep has started to become more aggressive, she certainly can’t hit many winners against the American and will have to rely on mistakes from her opponent. Like last year, I feel Halep will make an excellent start to the match but when it gets tight, she might just falter.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Yesh:
What Halep just did to Garbine Muguruza was not only unexpected (none of us predicted it yesterday), it was the most impressive performance we’ve seen from any tennis player this year. She is the better overall player than Stephens, and clay just widens the margin. Halep has been on the cusp of winning Slams before, but she has cracked mentally on every occasion, losing all three of her finals in three sets. This match will both be on Halep’s racket and in Halep’s head. If her mental fortitude has improved, she will prevail. If not, she’ll feel heartbreak in Paris for the third time. I will say this, though. Halep’s only way to win this match is in straight sets. If she is forced into a third, she will crumble.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Main Photo:
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