Bertens stuns ‘empty’ Halep for crown
CINCINNATI: Dutch challenger Kiki Bertens 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 ninematch winning streak, ran out of reserves and was unable to stop the mounting Bertens momentum.
“I’ve lost three finals here, but maybe I will able to win one at this t ournament because I love to play here,” said Halep, who fell to Serena Williams in the 2015 final of the hardcourt US Open tune-up and to Garbine Muguruza i n the title match last year.
“I had match ball, so I was there,” Helep said. “I didn’t take my chance. In the third set I was empty and I couldn’t fight anymore.”
The upset took just over two hours and marked the 10th time this season that 17th-ranked Bertens has defeated a top 10 opponent.
“It was such a tough match, and after winning that second set I knew, anything is still possible — just keep on going,” said Bertens, who claimed a sixth career WTA title. “Winning a title like this, my first hard court title, and against No.1 of the world, getting my career high on Monday ... it’s just coming everything together, I guess,” she added.
Bertens saved a Halep match point in the second-set tie-breaker to stay alive. “I’m upset because I couldn’t manage better today, but that’s it. I’m like this, and I have to work more,” Halep said.