Bertens on Cloud Nine as Halep collapses

– Dutch challenger Kiki Bertens (right) profited from a third-set collapse by Simona Halep to score the biggest win of her career on Sunday, beating the world No 1 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 in the Cincinnati WTA final.

“This is the best day of my career, winning on a surface that you didn’t really like. That’s a great feeling,” Bertens said.

“I’m just so proud, and it’s such a great feeling to hold the trophy at the end of the week.”

Halep, who claimed the Montreal title a week ago and came into the final on a nine-match winning streak, ran out of steam and was unable to stop the mounting Bertens momentum.

“I’ve lost three finals here, but maybe I will be able to win one at this tournament because I love to play here,” said Halep, who fell to Serena Williams in the 2015 final and to Garbine Muguruza in the title match last year.

The upset took just over two hours and marked the 10th time this year that 17th-ranked Bertens has beaten a top 10 opponent.

“It was so tough, and after winning that second set I knew anything was still possible – I just kept on going,” said Bertens, who claimed a sixth career WTA title.

“Winning a title like this, my first hard court title, and against the number one of the world, getting my career high on Monday ... it’s just coming together, I guess,” she added.

Bertens saved a Halep match point in the second-set tiebreaker to stay alive.

“I’m a little bit upset because I couldn’t manage better today, but that’s it. I’m like this, and I have to work more,” Halep said.

Halep had looked like ending the afternoon with a quick victory after breaking Bertens twice to sweep the first set.

But the 26-year-old Dutchwoman, who had considered retiring last season due to poor results, began to turn the tide in the second as she broke for a 3-1 lead.

Halep got that break back in the eighth game to make it 4-4, and took tighter control in the tiebreaker.

But Bertens won four games in the decider to take a 4-2 lead and quickly seized the set seconds after saving the match point.

Halep seriously faded in the final set, going down two breaks to trail 1-4.

Bertens kept up the pressure and advanced with a winner on her first match point. –