It was a back-to-back Mutua Madrid Open title for Simona Halep from Romania, who saw off a very brave fight from Kristina Mladenovic of France, 7-5 6-7(5) 6-2, in last night’s Ladies final in Spain.

Although Halep was seeded third, it was the fourteenth seed and inform player, Mladenovic, who was the favourite going into the final.

Mladenovic and countryman, Richard Gasquet captured the Hopman Cup title in January. She and countrywoman, Caroline Garcia reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. She followed that up by winning the St. Petersburg Open and was a finalist at both the Mexican and Stuttgart Opens.

Halep’s 2017 season started very different to that of her opponents, having mixed results with only a semi-final appearance at the Stuttgart Open. She also lost to Mladenovic at the Indian Wells Masters in March. 

Mladenovic, who was battling a back injury, broke Halep’s serve early and also had a chance to serve for the first set, but Halep held on to break back and eventually took the set. 

Mladenovic lifted her game in the second set to force a tie-break, which she won. Halep grew frustrated with the improvement in her opponent’s play, kicking her racquet in the path of a ball boy, which earned her a code violation.

Halep managed to regain her composure in the third set, and despite some brilliant tennis by both ladies, Mladenovic was struggling and handed Halep the title by hitting a return shot over the baseline.

Halep joins Serena Williams as the only player to have won the Madrid Open title twice, and on back-to-back occasions.

Halep’s form on clay makes her one of the favourites for the French Open, which starts at the end of May. Her best result at the French Open was as Finalist in 2014, when she lost to Maria Sharapova. Last year, she was knocked out in the fourth round by Samantha Stosur.