Maria Sharapova’s French Open comeback snuffed out by clinical Garbine Muguruza

Two women who have won the title at Roland Garros, Maria Sharapova and Garbine Muguruza, play each other in the quarterfinals.

She shoved aside compatriot Madison Keys 6-4 6-4 in a rematch of the Flushing Meadows final in September on Thursday and is typically candid when assessing the Halep challenge.

He was also able to raise his level when in danger, saving three break points in the eight game of the third set with great shot-making, and four more in the final set. It’s just how it’s happened for me”, Stephens said, “I think once I get going in a tournament, I’m pretty consistent, which is good.

“Well, I think it would be unusual for me not to include someone that I have competed against for so many years”, a glum Sharapova, who has lost 19 of her 21 matches against Williams, told reporters.

Sloane Stephens returns the ball to Madison Keys. Against Muguruza, there is the risk of her getting blown off the court by her opponent’s power – see last year’s final against the feraless and relentlessly aggressive Jelena Ostapenko.

Halep was my pick to win the French Open, and I truly hope she finally gets the money off her back.

But she is optimistic she can capitalise on an established superiority over Stephens – she leads the rivalry 5-2 – in a watershed encounter. “I’ve had issues with the right pectoral muscle to the point where I can’t serve”, said the 36-year-old after withdrawing from the match.

It was yet another example of just how commanding the 24-year-old former French Open champion can be when she’s keeping self-doubt at bay.

Like Halep, Stephens is an incredibly talented defensive player, and she kept stretching points against a mistake-prone Keys, who made 41 unforced errors – 30 more than Stephens.

Muguruza has not dropped a set so far in this year’s tournament as she seeks a second championship in Paris and third major trophy overall.

She also failed to win a single service game in the opener.

Halep then seized her chance, moving 0-40 ahead and then raising her arms in triumph as Muguruza blazed a backhand long.

Halep is more emotive on court and her tenacity has earned her an army of fans. Stephens won last year’s US Open so the pressure on her may not be so intense. Halep of the spring of 2018 is smiling more than ever, she uses the word “relaxed” at every opportunity and more importantly she won’t budge from the moment.

Thursday’s match between No. 10 Stephens and No. 13 Keys was much closer than their meeting at the US Open, which Stephens won, 6-3, 6-0. I wanted to do too much in the match. Some nerves might have surfaced when Stephens tried to serve out the semifinal at 5-2, but she succeeded at the second time of asking.

World number one Simona Halep says she will “stay chilled” in Saturday’s French Open final as she attempts to vanquish memories of defeat in her previous three Grand Slam finals.

“This is one of my favourite tournaments and I’m looking forward to Saturday”.

Not only is a French Open final on the line this afternoon, but the victor today will also claim the world No. 1 ranking.

Stephens was two points from defeat in the third round against Camila Giorgi of Italy, before coming back to win 8-6 in the third set.

She went to 5-2 on a double break and although Keys rallied, the statistics made brutal reading.