Kiki Bertens produces stunning comeback to beat Simona Halep in Cincy final

Kiki Bertens overcame a poor start to beat Simona Halep and win the Cincinnati Masters title.
The 26-year-old, playing in her first WTA Tour Premier 5 final, wasn’t really in the races in the opening set, but she eventually found her rhythm and claimed a 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 victory.
.@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) August 19, 2018
Halep, who was looking to become the first woman since 1973 to win the Rogers Cup-Cincinnati Masters double, was quick out of the blocks as she broke in the first game and again in game seven to take the opening set.
Bertens finally got going in the second set as she broke in game four, but three games later and Halep returned the favour and it went to the tie-breaker.
Although the Romanian had the early upper hand, Bertens bounced back and then took the tie-breaker it to take the match to a decider.
The world No 1 then collapsed in the third set as the Dutchwoman broke in games one and seven, and then served it out as she secured the biggest title of her career.
“I think I didn’t have really a good time to get nervous, because I was just so tired,” Bertens. “I think it was such a tough match, and after winning that second set I knew, like, anything is still possible.”
She added: “Winning a title like this, my first hard-court title, and then against No 1 of the world, getting my career high on Monday. I don’t know. It’s just coming everything together, I guess.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic unlikely to return to action before clay season as there ‘is no need to take any risks’
Novak Djokovic unlikely to feature at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest No 1 ATP players: Novak Djokovic now the second oldest No 1, but will he catch Roger Federer?
Roger Federer currently holds the record.
-
Australian Open
Goran Ivanisevic slams media for ‘thrashing’ Novak Djokovic, rating 2021 Australian Open as his ‘sweetest’
Goran Ivanisevic takes aim at the media.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Dubai tournament, but hopes to defend Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty won’t be travelling to the Middle East.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to skip Miami Open as he opts to ‘slowly work his way back’ following injury
Roger Federer won’t feature at the Miami Open.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m playing for my career’ – Honest Andy Murray admits retirement question is lingering
Andy Murray fought back to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
-
News
Andy Murray hits back to win first round match against Robin Haase in Rotterdam
The former world No 1 finished strongly.
-
ATP Tour
Battling Andy Murray shows his old fighting spirit to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam
Andy Murray fought back from a set down.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev closing in on career milestone as he returns to action this week
Daniil Medvedev hits the top two in ATP Rankings.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m pumped to be competing again’ – Andy Murray steps up his comeback in Rotterdam
Andy Murray ready to step up latest comeback effort.