French Open 2017: Women's Final Schedule, Prediction and Prize Money
Simon Halep has the chance to win the first Grand Slam title of her career on Saturday at the French Open, although rising star Jelena Ostapenko stands between her and glory at Roland Garros.
Halep, seeded third at this competition, has been in tremendous form throughout the clay-court season and has come through some gruelling matches to make it this far. The Romanian, a runner-up in 2014 here, is the big favourite to take the title.
Ostapenko, just 20 years old, cannot be discounted, though. The Latvian has been wonderful to watch at Roland Garros, dispatching of some quality players on her way to this showpiece. Remarkably, victory here would be the first title of her career.
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Below are some key details ahead of the final, including the prize money on offer for the two players and a look ahead to what promises to be a wonderful match.
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 2 p.m. (BST), 9 a.m. (ET)
Prize Money: Winner €2.1 million (£1.85 million), Runner-up €1 million (£888,000), per the Daily Telegraph
Preview
The AFP News Agency Twitter account compared the two finalists ahead of their showdown:
Having come up short at the last hurdle in 2014, Halep has waited a long time to take her place in another Grand Slam final. Up against an unseeded player, she may not get a better opportunity to clinch one of the four big titles.
Eurosport UK relayed the moment Halep came through her semi against Karolina Pliskova and noted that aside from the trophy, there's a chance for her to move to the top of the world rankings:
Previously Halep has been accused of wilting on the biggest stage, but on her way to the Saturday clash, she has showcased some tremendous spirit.
In the quarters, Halep faced a match point in her contest against Elina Svitolina in a second-set tiebreak, having previously recovered from 5-1 down. She saved it with some spirited play and ran riot in the third set, serving her opponent a bagel.
Next up was the determined Pliskova, and once again the third seed outlasted her opponent, excelling in the deciding set.
Per Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times, Pliskova, seeded second, suggested the Romanian will be too strong in the final:
Ostapenko has shown throughout this tournament that she cannot be written off, though.
She's played with a fearlessness illustrative of her youthful exuberance here, excelling in the clutch moments and hitting more experienced players off the court.
Indeed, against 2015 Roland Garros semi-finalist Timea Bacsinszky in her last-four showdown, few anticipated the youngster would have the nous needed to get through into Saturday's final. But there was an assuredness about Ostapenko, who showed remarkable grit to dig out the third set.
Per Christopher Clarey of the New York Times, it's been a while since such a big outsider made it into the final of one of the Grand Slam events:
Despite her rapid rise, they youngster has taken the focus engulfing her in her stride in the French capital.
"When I came here, of course I didn't expect I would be in the final," Ostapenko said, per Simon Cambers of The Guardian. “But then, first match was a tough match as well, and I won it. I think it kind of gave me confidence. Then every match I was playing better and better and I got my confidence, and I think it works pretty well."
It means we're set for a fascinating final. Ostapenko should continue to play without shackles and will know the pressure is firmly on her opponent on Saturday. If she gets off to a fast start, some nerves will surely creep in to Halep's game.
The Romanian has been so composed at this year's French Open, though, and finally it seems she has the inner conviction to complement her indisputable ability. Halep has been the best player in the world during this clay-court campaign and will crown her excellence with an overdue Grand Slam triumph.
Prediction: Halep wins in two sets
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