Cincinnati Masters ’18: Bertens Trumps Halep; Wins The Title
Kiki Bertens held off a championship point to upset world number one Simona Halep and win the Cincinnati Masters. The 26-year-old world number 17 came from behind to defeat Halep 2-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 in two hours and five minutes.
Kiki Bertens receiving her champions trophy @CincyTennis 8-19-18 pic.twitter.com/Qyf7XKENSO
— LaWanda (@lawanda50) 19 August 2018
Romania’s Halep, 26, has now lost three finals in Cincinnati having previously missed out in 2015 and 2017.
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“I cannot find the words for this moment,” said Bertens, who becomes the first Dutch winner at a singles WTA/ATP hardcourt tournament since 2006.
.@kikibertens wins the 2018 @CincyTennis Title!
Beats Simona Halep 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-2!
It is Bertens’ first-ever victory over a World No. 1 and her first hardcourt title! pic.twitter.com/6ml1jh7tmr
— WTA (@WTA) 19 August 2018
Bertens’ victory – the biggest of her career – ends a nine-match winning streak for Halep, who triumphed at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada, last week. It also marked her 10th defeat of a top-10 opponent this season as she beat French Open champion Halep for the second time in five meetings.
A clinical Halep dominated the first set, taking just half an hour to take the opener 6-2. And despite the second set quickly swinging in the favour of underdog Bertens, who opened up a 4-1 lead, she then scored just two points as Halep levelled the score at 4-4.
KIKI #BERTENS WINS THE CINCINNATI TITLE!
Superb effort from @kikibertens , who saves match point and beats Simona #Halep 2-6 7-6 6-2 to claim the biggest title of her career!
And look what it means to her! Well done! pic.twitter.com/9QT9TfVzxk
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) 19 August 2018
The set went to a tie-break and, after scoring four points in a row, Bertens later saved championship point before taking the set. The Dutchwoman once again went 4-1 up in the decider, as Halep conceded 10 successive points, before closing out the match.
“I was a little bit tired, but it was an amazing week,” said Halep.
“Kiki really deserved this title. I have lost three finals here but maybe I’ll be able to win one in the future.”
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