Simona Halep defeated Sloane Stephens in the final, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2018 French Open.[1] It was her first major title, following three previous runner-up finishes. Halep became the second Romanian woman to win a major singles title after Virginia Ruzici in 1978.[2] She also became the sixth woman to win both the junior and senior titles at the tournament, having won the former in 2008.[2]
This tournament marked the first time that Agnieszka Radwańska did not play in the main draw of a singles major since her debut at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships, ending a streak of 47 consecutive appearances.[8]
This was Serena Williams' first major appearance since the 2017 Australian Open due to her pregnancy and maternity leave. She was unseeded in a singles major for the first time since the 2007 Australian Open.[9] Williams reached the fourth round before withdrawing prior to her match against Sharapova due to a pectoral muscle injury, ending her streak of 10 consecutive major semifinals dating back to the 2014 US Open.[10]