Simona Halep beats Kiki Bertens 7-5 6-1 to reach her first career final in the third attempt at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and her second consecutive final. The Romanian star will be bidding to win her second title in a row after lifting the trophy in Madrid last week. She wlll face either last year’s Roland Garros winner Garbine Muguruza or Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian player has been the most successful player on the WTA Tour with three titles in Dubai, Taipei and Istanbul and most match wins and could have the chance to climb to the World Number 1 spot in the Race to Singapore if she wins the Rome tournament.
Halep led 2-1 over Bertens in their three previous head-to-head matches, including a win in their most recent clash in the third round at Wimbledon in 2016. Their semifinal was delayed by 30 minutes due to rain.
Halep broke serve to love in the first game. She won the first six points of the match. Bertens got the first point on the board and drew level to 30-30 but Halep held her service games. Bertens held serve to 15 to win her first service game. The Dutch player brought up three break points. Halep saved the first two opportunities, as Bertens hit two backhands wide. Bertens converted on her third opportunity to draw level to 2-2, as Halep netted a backhand. Halep got another break in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead, as Bertens made some loose errors. In the sixth game Bertens earned a 0-40 lead with a series of backhands to earn three break points, but Halep fought back by reeling off five points in a row to hold serve for 4-2.
Halep held serve in the seventh game. She opened up a 40-0 lead but Bertens fought back by winning two consecutive points to 30-40. Halep held serve on her third game point to open up a 5-3 lead. Bertens got through a nine-minute service game to trail 4-5, after fending off five set points. The 2016 Roland Garros semifinalist broke serve to draw level to 5-5, as Halep netted a forehand down the line on the break point.
Halep brought up three break points at 0-40, as Bertens made a double fault. She got the break, as Bertens netted a backhand, and cloed out the first with an easy hold.
Halep started the second set with an early break. She went up a double break in the third game and consolidated it to race out to a 4-0 lead. Halep was in full control of the match and sealed the win with her third break of the second set, as Bertens hit her forehand long.
Halep made just nine unforced error and just one in the second set.
“In Madrid I didn’t play my best tennis, but anything else, like attitude, like legs, like the feelings that I had inside of myself are at the highest level, so I felt great. Here I felt that I play better tennis, but I am a little bit down with energy because I played so many matches. I feel the best this year so far. I just want to keep this even if I lose. It’s not easy. I know that, and I have to take care of my body”, said Halep.
