Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep says her passion for the sport has fully returned after reaching the final of the National Bank Open.
The former world No.1 battled back from a set down to defeat Jessica Pegula 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, after more than two hours of play. Halep dropped serve five times in the match but managed to prevail with the help of a double break in the decider. The triumph has ensured that the Romanian will enter back into the world’s top 10 on Monday for the first time in 12 months.
“I love playing in Canada. I think I had very good matches throughout the week. I’m really pleased with the way I fought and every match with the way I played,” said Halep who is through to a record-equalling 18th WTA 1000 final.
“Of course, I can improve. But I’m building the confidence, I’m building the game, and I’m really happy that I’m in this position.”
Emotions were on full display during her semi-final encounter. At one stage she was seen throwing her racquet out of frustration. Something she has rarely done in recent times on the Tour. However, Halep later explained that it is a good sign coming from her. Even if such actions could trigger code violation earnings from officials.
“The fire is back. It’s a good sign if I do that.” She said. “I can say it helps me sometimes. I don’t always know if it’s good or not. But it helps me. Yes, it doesn’t look good. But it’s a tough subject.”
Halep credits her resurgence to working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou who used to mentor Serena Williams before pairing up with the 30-year-old earlier this year. Under his guidance, she has reached the semi-finals or better in four out of her five most recent tournaments. She says she has also been inspired by watching younger players perform at Mouratoglou’s academy in France.
Now seeking a third Canadian Open title in her career, Halep faces a tough encounter with the in-form Beatrice Haddad Maia who defeated world No.1 Iga Swiatek earlier in the tournament. The Brazilian is the first player from her country to reach the title match of a WTA 1000 event and is the first to reach three or more WTA semi-finals within the same season since Suzana Gesteria in 1969.
“It’s very important and it’s a pleasure for me to be not even only Brazilian, but a woman from South America,” Haddad Maia said after beating Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 7-6(9). “We have a lot of men, Argentinian and other Brazilian people playing big tournaments also. But it’s very special to represent the woman’s power at this stage of the tournament. I’m very proud of myself and my team.”
“I think I’m having a lot of nice things coming through in the last few weeks in my career. Again, I think the results come because of hard work. But I always try to be positive and push myself 110 per cent. I’m happy that I could make it during this week in Canada.” She added.
Halep has played Haddad Maia three times in her career and twice this season. She leads their head-to-head 2-1 but lost their most recent meeting on the grass at the Birmingham Classic in June. On the other hand, she dropped just two games when they clashed at the Australian Open in January.
Should Halep win the title on Sunday she will move to sixth in the WTA rankings.
