Finala turneului WTA Premier 5 “Western & Southern Open“ de la Cincinnati s-a încheiat cu rezultatul:
Kiki Bertens (Olanda, 17 WTA) – Simona Halep (1 WTA) [1] 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-2
Partida a durat 2h5′
Primul set a fost dominat categoric de jucătoarea noastră, care a câştigat de două ori cu returul – în jocurile 1 şi 7 – şi a avut de înfruntat doar o minge de break, în ultimul joc.
La începutul setului 2, Simona a pierdut iniţiativa, uneori din cauza unor greşeli, alteori pentru că nu i-a ridicat prea multe probleme adversarei. Şi dacă în jocul al doilea a reuşit să salveze 3 mingi de break de la 0-40, în al 4-lea şi-a pierdut serviciul şi scorul a devenit 1-4.
În acel moment a intervenit Darren Cahill. OCC-ul nu a fost unul armonios, dar cu toate acestea efectul a fost benefic, căci ea a egalat la 4.
Totuşi, în jocul următor Simona a ratat o minge de break şi apoi a fost nevoită să salveze o minge de set, pe care Bertens şi-o procurase datorită unui neţ norocos.
Au urmat două ghemuri în care jucătoarele şi-au câştigat jocurile de serviciu la zero şi apoi tie-break-ul dramatic, în care Simona a revenit de la 3-5 cu 3 puncte câştigătoare pentru o minge de meci. Dar Bertens reuşit şi ea o serie la fel de lungă şi a câştigat setul 2.
Setul decisiv a început cu o serie de 3 break-uri, în urma căreia Bertens a rămas în avantaj. Darren a mai venit o dată, dar acum resursele mentale şi fizice ale elevei lui erau epuizate. Ea a pierdut următoarele două jocuri la zero, părând că nu mai este capabilă să continue, dar a reuşit totuşi câteva puncte geniale până la sfârşit, eliberată de presiune, căci deznodământul finalei era clar.
Simona încheie turneul apărându-şi cele 585 de puncte de la ediţia tecută şi un premiu financiar în valoare de 262.364 USD.
Încă o săptămână foarte bună pentru liderul WTA, care mai avea nevoie de un punct pentru a o transforma într-una istorică.
Galerie videoclipuri
.@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
An exceptional winner from @Simona_Halep!
This @CincyTennis final is delivering some out-of-this-world tennis! pic.twitter.com/LU429eecW6
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens deals with the dropshot ?#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/XmjbfGiVQS
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
You need to watch this INCREDIBLE point!@Simona_Halep busts out the ‘tweener in a fantastic rally! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/2sQ9aWDsAt
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
A neat crosscourt winner from @Simona_Halep! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/VwSAWSliVe
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens earns her second break of the final set to take a 4-1 lead!
She’s making great progress towards her first hardcourt title – and fourth Top 10 victory this week! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Wigdj6LGLz
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens takes the second set 7-6(6)!
None of their previous four encounters went to three sets, but we’re going the distance at the @CincyTennis final!
Follow all the action on the @WTA_Insider Live Blog: https://t.co/tXVeiBucg3 pic.twitter.com/MTqhDfwysc
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens tucks it inside the line! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/1CUweZ81yH
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@Simona_Halep connects beautifully with the rising ball! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/SYxuFfbJ3a
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
We’re going to a second-set tiebreaker! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/K1he6NvHe0
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens comes forward again and executes the winner!
Bertens has never defeated a World No. 1. She did, however, beat a World No. 2 in Carolina Wozniacki, in Madrid and earlier this week at @CincyTennis. pic.twitter.com/TsOVQY48d5
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
Wonderful work from @kikibertens at the net! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/jjwEKaEdSd
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
What. A. Point!@Simona_Halep gets the better of a truly sensational rally! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/D6bqyxyvLE
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens backs up the break to take a 4-1 lead in the second set!
The Dutch player, who dismissed three Top 10 players on the road to the @CincyTennis final, has massively raised her game in this set!
Follow the action on the @WTA_Insider Blog –> https://t.co/tXVeiBucg3 pic.twitter.com/OQ1F3FnmHT
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens takes a chance on a dropshot and it pays off handsomely! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/CFLBAvj2ss
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens comes to the net for the winner!
In her first hardcourt final and fourth main draw @CincyTennis appearance, she leads the second set 2-1. pic.twitter.com/9YWGZel2AS
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
Some high-quality tennis from @Simona_Halep today! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/Wr6ByD8Yzy
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@Simona_Halep takes the first set 6-2 in 30 minutes!
Takes a huge step towards her fourth title of the season!
Be sure to follow all the action on the @WTA_Insider Live Blog –> https://t.co/tXVeiBucg3#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/NFLuqdVxlf
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@Simona_Halep breaks to take a 5-2 lead in the opening set!
A factual nugget from @WTA_Insider: The winner of the first set has gone on to win all their previous match-ups. They have yet to play a three-setter. pic.twitter.com/AJvhSyMP6j
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@kikibertens also has some quality forehands in the locker today! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/xSI5P95BLE
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
Wow! A ? forehand from @Simona_Halep! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/HdUxSpMBMf
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@Simona_Halep gets in position for an unstoppable forehand!
The World No. 1 is on a nine-match winning streak – and she’s getting the big points today. #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/uCrwAqPiqb
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
A neat little @kikibertens dropshot to get on the scoreboard!
You guys have a tab open to follow the @WTA_insider Live Blog, right?
–>https://t.co/tXVeiBucg3 pic.twitter.com/qertKVYoi6
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
A superb backhand down the line from @kikibertens!
Fun fact: the World No. 17 is the first ?? player of either gender to reach the @CincyTennis final. pic.twitter.com/91IG9uNuWR
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
Aaaand we’re off!@Simona_Halep claims the first point of the @CincyTennis final!
FYI, it’s a balmy 28C/82f on court right now. pic.twitter.com/b33oGKeclO
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
.@Simona_Halep wins the toss and @kikibertens will serve first! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/kdS7fqqK6O
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
It’s time!@Simona_Halep and @kikibertens are on Center Court for the @CincyTennis final! ? pic.twitter.com/6s3fetOC2D
— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2018
