MADRID: Simona Halep is a win away from reclaiming her No.1 spot after downing an erratic Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-0, in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
Halep, who is seeking a third title at the Caja Magica, was forced to dig deep during what was a roller coaster encounter that consisted of numerous momentum changes. Despite dropping serve three times, she managed to come out on top with the help of 29 winners and capitalized on 33 unforced errors committed by Bencic.
“I feel a little bit tired but it’s normal because she was playing very fast,” Halep said afterward during her on-court interview. “I had to concentrate on every ball, it was tough that I lost the second set.’
“I was rushing myself and I had to calm down and open the court a bit more. I was too far back and couldn’t dominate the match from there.”
Just 15 places separate the two players in the WTA rankings, but it is completely different when it comes to the clay. Friday marked Halep’s 21st appearance in the semi-final of a WTA event on the dirt. A stark contrast to former French Open girls champion Bencic, who was playing in only her second and first since Charleston 2014. On the other hand, Bencic boasted a perfect 5-0 record against top-five opposition this year before today.
It was a perfect start for the Romanian as she broke immediately against her lackluster opponent. However, it wasn’t long before the roller coaster got going. Bencic, who never won a match in Madrid prior to this week, responded well by breaking to draw level at 2-2. Nevertheless, it was Halep who came out on top in the opener with the help of a four-game winning streak to close in on the final.
The turmoil continued into the second set with four out of five games being decided by a break. Both Halep and Bencic were far from thrilled with their performances. Smashing both the balls and their rackets onto the ground out of sheer frustration.
With little to distinguish between the two, Bencic continued to fight. The Swiss world No.18 was in clinical fashion throughout the tiebreaker as she raced to a 4-0 lead with the help of some errors made from across the court. Halep tried to recover, but a backhand drifting wide placed her at a 2-5 deficit. Allowing Bencic to force the match into a decider with the help of a serve out wide that draw another error from Halep.
Dropping a set for the first time this week, the world No.3 responded emphatically by racing out to a 3-0 lead in the decider. Leaving her opponent in tears as she spoke to her father during one of the changeovers. With the Swiss player rattled both physically and mentally, the two-time champion surged towards the finish line. Closing the match out with a bagel. Her fourth of the tournament.
“I try to do everything I can when I step onto the court.” Said Halep, who is currently coping with a cold. “I am always motivated when I come to Madrid. It’s my special tournament.’
“I’m close to 100 percent (healthy), but I’m not quite there. It’s getting better day-by-day.”
Friday’s win is Halep’s 25th in Madrid. The second highest of all-time in the women’s tournament after Petra Kvitova (29). In the final, she will play either Sloane Stephens or Kiki Bertens. Two players who she has a winning head-to-head record against.
“A final is a final. I just want to be focused on myself as I have been throughout the week.” She summarised.
Halep must win the Madrid title is she wishes to dethrone Naomi Osaka from the top of the rankings. She has already held that position for 64 weeks in what is the 10th longest stretch in the Open Era on the WTA Tour.
