And she did it with an Aussie coach in her corner

WHO WON THE MEN’S FINAL? WWW.THEMERCURY.COM.AU

DARREN Cahill is an indisputably great coach. He is also the master of selfdeprecation.

For the third time in a glorious grand slam mentoring career, Cahill has become an invaluable foil to a champion.

As Simona Halep strolled back to the baseline at Roland Garros, steeling herself to win one more point to secure the French Open, her eyes darted to the South Australian.

As ever, Cahill was impassive. But his words were ringing in Halep’s ears.

Simply being in a major final — as significant as that is — was no longer enough.

“Well, he told me previous years and last time in Melbourne, he told me that it’s a big thing that I’m in the final and playing, just enjoying the match,” she said.

“But this year he told me: ‘You’re going to take it. You’re going to go on court and just thinking you have to take it, not waiting for the opponent to give it to you’.

“So he gave me confidence, and he put a little bit pressure on myself that I have to go there and win it. So maybe that’s why I won it, and it worked.”

A few seconds after Halep had glanced at Cahill, his stony mask evaporated as Halep reached the pinnacle, thrusting his arms skywards in delight. It was a momentary glimpse into the heart and mind of tennis’s most private and deflective man.

Halep is the third player Cahill has guided to both grand slam glory and the No. 1 ranking. The South Australian accomplished the same heights with Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi.

All three hail from contrasting backgrounds, saddled with different personalities and different styles.

Cahill, 52, is the glue common to all.

“Well they say the key to being a good coach is to have good players,” he beamed.

“I’ve been very lucky.”