Doha: Former champion Simona Halep yesterday scripted a sensational three-set victory over in-form rival Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to reach the final of the Qatar Total Open for the second time.
Halep, winner here in 2014, wrapped up a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win when Svitolina served a return long on match point after an intense battle that last lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes.
In the final today, the Romanian tennis icon will meet Belgium’s giant-killer Elise Mertens who stunned World No.6 Angelique Kerber of Germany in three sets yesterday. Mertens won 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 to reach the final in her second appearance in Qatar. On Thursday, Mertens beat World No.8 Kiki Bertens in the quarter-finals.
Halep, a clear crowd favourite, yesterday pointed to her heart after winning the match point on second attempt and then looked towards the heavens to give thanks for the victory on the Center Court.
It was Halep’s third win over Svitolina who holds sway with four victories over her senior pro.
Today’s final will be the 34th of Halep’s impressive career. Halep, who produced electrifying tennis in the deciding set when she was trailing 1-4, will attempt to add to her 18 career titles today.
“I won it with my heart and my mind,” Halep said yesterday after the pulsating clash. “I didn’t give up. I promised myself that I will never give up against her again as I lost two matches badly against her,” the former French Open champion added.
“I said I had to be strong because she is a very tough opponent. It was maybe the best match so far. It is unbelievable that I won this. I was strong on my legs,” Halep said. “I was not tired and I won the match,” she said.
“It means a lot to reach another final in Doha. I won this tournament in 2014. It is an honour to be in another final and to play for that beautiful trophy,” Halep said.
“To come back like this on the Center Court in front of this crowd is pretty awesome. Thank you, everybody,” she added.
Halep kicked off proceedings by running away with the first set thanks to service breaks in games three and nine. In game three, a long return by Svitolina was followed by a terrific backhand smash from Halep that helped her take a 2-1 lead. In game nine, a long return and a double fault by Svitolina at deuce allowed Halep to wrap up the first set at 6-3 in just 38 minutes. The former champion did not drop her serve in the first set.
In game two of the second set, a couple of long returns by Halep allowed Svitolona to take a 2-1 lead. The Ukrainian held serve in the entire second set but in game nine Halep was broken again because of sluggish returns that allowed her opponent to close the set at 6-3. In the deciding set, Svitolina set an early pattern of things to come by breaking Halep in game two and then held serve to jump to a 3-0 lead. Minutes later the lead became 4-1.
But Halep turned things around by breaking Svitolina from the baseline to reduce the deficit at 4-3 and then held her serve. With momentum on her side, Halep put pressure on a nervous Svitolina to break her in game nine to claim a 5-4 lead. Seconds later, Svitolina - winner of the WTA Season-Ending Championships in Singapore last year - returned long with Halep on match point in game 10.
In the second semi-final yesterday, Kerber failed to arrest her slide in the first set when she was broken by her 23-year-old rival. Mertens, who has won four titles in her young career, broke Kerber in games four and 10 to seal the first set at 6-4.
In the second set, Kerber reversed the trend by breaking Mertens in games five and seven to draw even in the match. In the deciding set, Mertens looked completely transformed as she broke a struggling Kerber in games four and eight to seal her win in 1 hour 46 minutes.
Mertens, who fired four aces, yesterday said: “It means a lot to win (over a three-time Grand Slam champion). I didn’t expect this one. Today was really a battle. I am really happy with this win.”
The Belgian, who will play her fifth title, added: “Every week is a different tournament. You get results every day. I came here with a positive mindset. I am really excited to be in the final. I can play free. I will give my all.”
