Simona Halep vs Sloane Stephens (7-6 [8-6], 3-6, 6-4)
Simona Halep may have a reputation for choking in big games, but she’s proving this 2018 that those times are over. In fact, one could argue that she has now developed the heart of a champion.
In a pulsating three-set match in the Rogers Cup final, the Romanian star showed why she’s the World no.1 as she fended off Sloane Stephens to win the women’s title in Montreal for the second time in three years.
The rematch of this year’s French Open final—which Halep also won—went the distance as Stephens fought back mightily in the tightly contested marathon affair. However, in the end, Halep proved to be too strong for the 25-year-old American.
Highlights of the game
Stephens reached the final without dropping a set, comfortably beating the likes of Carla Suarez Navarro, Anastasija Sevastova and World No.5 Elina Svitolina to book her place against the top seed. Nonetheless, Halep erased that flawless record in a see-saw opener that ended in a tiebreak.
Halep, who was also nearly perfect in the tournament with only one lost set, jumped to a 4-1 lead after breaking two of Stephens’ serves. The American star, though, returned the favour and broke Halep’s service three times to turn the tables around and take the lead 6-5.
With Stephens holding two set points to win the opener, Halep held on to force a tiebreak.
It was a different story in the tiebreaker, with Stephens maintaining her momentum and leading quickly 5-1. It didn’t help Halep that she committed several forehand errors to give the reigning US Open champion a commanding lead.
In an improbable run, Halep rallied back to even matters at 6-6 before saving two set points from the World No.3 and winning the next two points.
Undeterred by her first-set defeat, Stephens kept on fighting and got a decisive break in the second to lead 2-1. She never looked back from there, using her spectacular forehand to control proceedings and equalise with a set apiece.
The two WTA heavyweights went back and forth again in the decider, eventually splitting the first four games. However, it was clear Halep was in charge as she continuously chased down everything Stephens threw at her.
Halep pushed Stephens to commit five unforced errors. She kept the rallies long and dictated the pace of the match to lead at 5-4.
Stephens tried to claw her way back, but Halep wouldn’t be denied as she unleashed some of her most powerful serves in the end to close the game. The 26-year-old Constanta, Romania native produced one of the key Rogers Cup 2018 highlights when she slammed her third ace to win the trophy.
The match took two hours and 41 minutes and Halep couldn’t help but kneel in exhaustion after topping her fellow top-ranked player in the gruelling affair.
Halep also praised Stephens after the match and admitted that the American makes her level up her game.
“Both matches were crazy good,” Halep said as she described her two meetings with Stephens this year. “She makes me play better and better every time we meet each other. That’s a great thing for me.”
“I feel like she improved in her mentality. She’s a strong player. I think she’s a complex player. She has everything.”
Key statistics
As Stephens described it, the match was “super competitive” and “high energy.” The marathon game featured 15 service breaks—eight for Stephens and seven for Halep—which paint a clear picture of how close the contest was.
Both players were neck and neck throughout, though Halep edged Stephens on service aces (4-0) to keep the Rogers Cup 2018 betting odds swinging in her favour.
Halep has now won her third title of the year and 18th overall. She also extended her record against Stephens 7-2, having won their last six meetings since 2014. The last time Stephens won against the top seed was in 2013, in the Round of 128 of the Australian Open.
The Romanian is also only the second woman to win the Rogers Cup title twice in the past 15 years. As mentioned in our Rogers Cup women’s singles preview, Serena Williams was the last one to do it when she won the Canadian title in 2011 and 2013. Halep won the trophy in 2016.
Meanwhile, Stephens is now 0-8 against No.1 players, though she would still be happy with her rise in the rankings after entering last year’s tournament in Canada as no. 934.
What’s next?
Next up for the two stars is the Western & Southern Open, more commonly known as the Cincinnati Masters. They are already given a bye and are just waiting for their Round of 32 opponents.
The SBOBET odds have Halep topping the competition, while Stephens is also in the list of top-five contenders to win.
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