Halep committed to New Haven
NEW HAVEN — While the Connecticut Open was running through its first day of main draw matches Sunday, the tournament’s marquee commitment was laboring through three sets of tennis in Ohio.
Simona Halep, the No. 1 player in the world, lost to Kiki Bertens in the Western & Southern Open final in Cincinnati. Halep, coming off a title in Montreal, lost 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-2 in a 2-hour, 5-minute match.
Halep committed to the Connecticut Open last month as she aimed to play matches before the U.S. Open. She has played lots of tennis since and is seemingly on the top of her game — so does she still need to play in New Haven?
“I have Halep’s arrival information for [Monday], her hotel starting [Monday], her coach’s assurance over and over again, all week long, as recently as [Sunday] morning, that she’s coming,” Connecticut Open tournament director Anne Worcester said. “Darren Cahill is probably sick of me. … I have been told Halep is coming, win or lose.”
Cahill, Halep’s coach, notified Worcester of the commitment last month. It was Cahill who saw New Haven as an opportunity to prepare for New York. Cahill has continually said the plans will not change, no matter how many matches Halep played in Cincinnati.
“I think they’re glad that she doesn’t have to start until Tuesday night,” Worcester said.
Halep is scheduled to hold a press conference at 3 p.m. Monday and will have all day Tuesday to rest.
Bertens, No. 17 in the world, reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and in Montreal before winning in Cincinnati. Worcester had not been touching base with Berten’s camp, but she expects her to be in New Haven Monday.
GARCIA GAINING CONFIDENCE
Advancing to the quarterfinal-round in Montreal and the Round of 16 at Cincinnati, Caroline Garcia of France believes her game is rounding into form for the season’s stretch run.
“The first part of the season was not amazing, but the last few weeks I feel as though I’m heading in the right direction,” Garcia said. “I competed in some big tournaments earlier in the year and I was not happy with the results. Then I went back to practice. I tried some new things and learned a couple of things about myself. Montreal and Cincinnati gave me confidence.”