Three years ago, under the glaring spotlight at the Philippe-Chatrier, with that first Grand Slam title just one win away, Simona Halep just could not find that final gear to make history for herself. In a marathon final, the Romanian went down to Maria Sharapova.
Halep will hope history doesn't repeat itself, when she steps onto the Philippe-Chatrier Court on Saturday for another quest at a maiden Grand Slam title.
This French Open women's final is different from the one three years ago – this time, Halep is the overwhelming favourite, with the No.3 seed up against a young upstart in Jelena Ostapenko, who has gotten herself to the final by playing some fearless tennis.
So, the pressure will be firmly on Halep going into this French Open 2017 women's singles final.
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"This match is really important, and I will not hide the heaviness that it has," Halep said. "Of course it's going to be a great thing if I can win. But I would like not to think too much, because (that would) put more pressure (on myself).
"Of course I'm nervous, but it's a nice feeling. I take the pressure because I like it. I just take it like a big day, a big match. And definitely I'm ready for it. I have also the mentality to play this final. We will see tomorrow, but I will give my best to make more people happy at home."
Pressure was handled quite brilliantly by Halep in the quarterfinals and semifinals. She was dead and buried against Elina Svitolina, before making a stirring comeback. And then, against the No.2 seed Karolina Pliskova, Halep held her nerve in the final set to book a second final berth at Roland Garros.
Those nerves will need to be made of steel on Saturday, because Halep will be up against an opponent, who holds nothing back.
Ostapenko has reached the final of the French Open 2017 by playing some wonderful attacking tennis, and while Halep has one of the best defences in the women's game, it will be put to the test by the unseeded Latvian.
"I mean, when I came here, of course I didn't expect I would be in the final," Ostapenko said. "But then first match was a tough match, 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."
When and where to watch live
The French Open women's singles final is set for a 3pm CET, 6.30pm IST start. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports Select HD1. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
Europe: TV: EuroSport. Live Streaming: EuroSport Player.
UK: TV: ITV. Live Streaming: ITV Hub.
Canada: TV: TSN. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
USA: TV: Tennis TV and NBC Sports. Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live.
Australia: TV: Fox Sports. Live Streaming: Foxtel.
Middle East: TV: Bein Sports Arabia. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
