Fifth Grand Slam for Maria.
Brutal, beautiful match - this beats Peter T's Swan Lake any day. Absolutely spectacular battle, pretty intense for over three hours. Have to feel sorry for Halep - played so well, came all the way to this moment and couldn't grab the title; I think she was weeping under that towel - gave it her all, but Maria . . . woo . . . always looks like she is worried or stressed, and yet places those shots with almost imperceptible contempt. As if saying - don't mess with a vet.
Great match.
And a great warm up to Wimbledon this year.