Halep stops Stephens again
MONTREAL: Simona Halep turned back American Sloane Stephens 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4 to win the Rogers Cup women’s title in a rematch of their French Open final on Sunday.
Romanian Halep, who beat Stephens in Paris in June, claimed her second Montreal title in three years and third for the 2018 season.
The top-ranked star closed out the hardfought match with her third ace of the day.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to talk again at this ceremony as a winner,” Halep said.
“I feel like I reached my best level of tennis, even if I had a long break before this tournament and I felt dead after the first day.”
Halep fended off four set points to claim a back-and-forth first set in a tie-break after storming to a 4-1 lead before US Open champion Stephens fought back to level.
Numerous forehand errors by Halep gave Stephens a 4-0 lead in the tie-break and the American went up 6-4 before Halep rallied, crushing a backhand down the line to earn her first set point, which she converted.
Stephens led throughout the second set, breaking Halep twice, but the Romanian took control of the third set, turning a break into a 5-2 advantage.
Stephens rallied to within 5-4 before Halep, on her fourth match point, slammed her third ace of the match and dropped to her knees in triumph.
“You make me play better and better every time we play,” Halep said of Stephens.
The American returned the compliment. “Even though I lost today, I literally left everything on the court,” Stephens said.
“Obviously I’m sad I lost, but losing to the No.1 player isn’t too bad.
“Every time I play her, she makes me a better player, she makes me raise my level.”