• Simona Halep waves to the spectators after defeating Bianca Andreescu of Canada in their WTA Finals in Shenzhen on Monday. AP
    Simona Halep waves to the spectators after defeating Bianca Andreescu of Canada in their WTA Finals in Shenzhen on Monday. AP
  • Simona Halep returns to Bianca Andreescu in Shenzhen. EPA
    Simona Halep returns to Bianca Andreescu in Shenzhen. EPA
  • Bianca Andreescu receives medical assistance during her match against Simona Halep. EPA
    Bianca Andreescu receives medical assistance during her match against Simona Halep. EPA
  • Bianca Andreescu lost to Simona Halep 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3. EPA
    Bianca Andreescu lost to Simona Halep 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3. EPA
  • Bianca Andreescu hits a return against Simona Halep on Monday. AP
    Bianca Andreescu hits a return against Simona Halep on Monday. AP
  • Simona Halep shakes hands with Bianca Andreescu after their match. Reuters
    Simona Halep shakes hands with Bianca Andreescu after their match. Reuters
  • Elina Svitolina reaches for a forehand against Karolina Pliskova at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Getty Images
    Elina Svitolina reaches for a forehand against Karolina Pliskova at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Getty Images
  • Elina Svitolina reacts after defeating Karolina Pliskova during their women's singles match in the WTA Finals in Shenzhen. AFP
    Elina Svitolina reacts after defeating Karolina Pliskova during their women's singles match in the WTA Finals in Shenzhen. AFP
  • Karolina Pliskova plays a backhand against Elina Svitolina in the WTA Finals. Getty Images
    Karolina Pliskova plays a backhand against Elina Svitolina in the WTA Finals. Getty Images

Tennis

Simona Halep edges out teen queen Bianca Andreescu at the WTA Finals in China

Wimbledon champion saves a match point before battling back to defeat US Open winner 3-6, 7-6, 6-3

The National

October 28, 2019

  • English
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Simona Halep came out on top against fellow reigning grand slam champion Bianca Andreescu at the WTA Finals in China on Monday.

Halep, who took the honours at Wimbledon, defeated US Open winner Andreescu 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 in a thrilling second match from Purple Group. Defending champion Elina Svitolina had earlier beaten

Karolina Pliskova 7-6, 6-4.

The 28-year-old Romanian survived a match point at 6-5 in the second set before taking her third set point in the tie-break to force a decider.

Her 19-year-old opponent from Canada, the youngest player in the draw, then needed lengthy treatment on a back problem and appeared to be lacking her usual mobility as a rejuvenated Halep took full advantage.

The deciding set featured five breaks of serve before Halep closed out the match after two hours and 34 minutes.

"It was a very tough match," said Halep. “I love playing under pressure. I’m happy that I could fight with a girl who is 10 years younger than me.”

"I knew that she’s a great player and she's playing till the end without giving up. I had to fight."I didn't play so much since Wimbledon so I’m a little bit dead but I have time tomorrow to recover and I'm happy I could win finally a match at the WTA Finals."

Tennis