Halep to shoot back to sixth after Toronto title

Double Grand Slam winner Simona Halep completed a Canadian title hat-trick on Sunday as she beat talented newcomer Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Toronto Masters.

The Romanian who once topped the WTA claimed her 24th career trophy and her biggest since winning Rome in May, 2020.

It took two and a quarter hours to hold off Brazil’s Haddad Maia, first from her country to play in a Masters-level final.

Halep won her 188th match in the Masters series and will move back to sixth in the world on Monday.

“I was there for many years but now I feel like it’s a big deal to be back in the Top 10,” she said. “I’m really happy with this performance.

“When I started the year I was not very confident and I set the goal to be top-10 at the end of the year – and here I am.

“It’s a very special moment. I will enjoy it. I will give myself credit. I’m just dreaming for more.”

Halep also won Canadian titles in 2016 and 2018, both times in Montreal. She broke five times and overcame nine double-fautls on her own serve in the title match.  

Haddad Maia admitted she was overwhelmed by the occasion.

“It was an emotional beginning, even when I was 3-Love up I couldn’t hold the emotions. I couldn’t control myself. 

“Simona started to play better, to improve. I was trying to be moreaggressive. 

“Today Simona deserved it, she played better than me. She was more brave.”

Halep now owns 38 wins this season and nine Masters trophies from 19 finals.

Halep won the opening set as she came from 3-0 down, sweeping the last six games. Haddad Maia squared the match as she put Halep into a 4-1 hole in the second.

Halep recovered in the final set with two breaks of serve to lift the trophy.

Main photo:- Simona Halep wins Toronto title by WTATennis.com