2014 French Open: Maria Sharapova Crowned Champion After Fighting Off Simona Halep

Maria Sharapova has been crowned 2014 French Open Champion after taking out the final, defeating Simona Halep 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.

Sharapova began the match on the back foot, going 2-0 down to Halep but the world number seven found her feet and won the next five games. Halep mounted a fightback but it wasn't enough to stop Sharapova who took out the first set convincingly 6-4.

The second set saw Sharapova go up 2-0 but Halep was quicker to catch up to the Russian this time, evening the scores 2-2 and eventually sending the set to a tie-breaker.

And the Romanian came out on top with a 7-5 win, forcing a third set in Paris. In what became a common theme of the day, the momentum changed again as Sharapova took control, taking a 4-2 advantage and breaking Halep's serve. The world number three stayed in contention but her opposition would come out winner, holding her nerve to win the final set 6-4.

Sharapova, who became the 12th woman to win five or more Grand Slam titles in the Open era, couldn't hide her emotions as she accepted her prize.

"It's a dream come true," she said. "This tournament means so much to me and to think that I've won it two times, I don't know, I'm so emotional right now I can't even talk.

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

"The atmosphere at the French Open is always so great with all the countries supporting their players. There were a lot of Romanians here today, but there were a few Russians too although they were a bit quieter!"