Sharapova survived the scorching sun and sapping humidity on Philippe Chatrier Court to take the tie 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 in three hours and two minutes and seal her fifth career Grand Slam title.

The battle was an epic one, leading to the first three-set final at Roland Garros since Jennifer Capriati came back to defeat Kim Clijsters 13 years ago.

"This is the toughest Grand Slam final I have ever played and all respect to Simona, she played an unbelievable match today," said ecstatic Sharapova.

The Russian, who had emerged as tournament favourite following the early exit of the top three seeds, gained the early momentum in the first set as she won five straight games to lead 5-2.

Halep, 22, began to claw her way back into tie after that, securing eight of 10 points to put the challenge back to Sharapova.

Her fight back was cut short, however, as Sharapova broke again to settle the first set 6-4.

The win gives Maria Sharapova her second French Open title and fifth career Grand Slam title ©Getty Images



Losing the first set to Sharapova at the French Open is a fast way to create a mountain to climb.

Coming in to this final, in her last 41 matches at Roland Garros where she has won the first set, Sharapova had triumphed on all but one occasion.

That run did not  look like ending anytime soon as the second set got underway, with Halep, playing in her first ever French Open final, falling 0-2 behind.

But, to the thrill of the raucous French crowd, Halep put it back on service next game, and from then until 4-4 she would not be shaken.

The ninth game proved all-important from there, with Halep getting the better of a remarkable 20-shot rally to earn break point before a Sharapova cross-court forehand landed out to put the Romanian 5-4 up.

Despite a cruel net cord giving the break back to Sharapova, Halep roared on, forcing errors upon her opponent to send the match to a third set.

There was a time violation for Sharapova early in the decider as her fragile serve became an ever-lengthier process, and she let a lead slip for the second time in the set with a double fault at 4-3.

The clock was approaching three hours as Sharapova finally took command, sprinting for a forehand winner to break for 5-4.

This time she would not be denied, holding to love, and sinking to her knees.

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