Simona Halep (#15) didn’t have an easy time in the semi-final against Jessica Pegula (#7), but the crux is there for the Romanian with a qualification for the Canada Open final . But she still dropped her first set of the week against an American more motivated than ever.
Feverish on her serve in the first set (4 double faults, 52% of firsts and two breaks conceded), Halep did not know how to seize the opportunities that presented themselves to her, in particular three break points at 2-1 for Pegula . Led one round to nothing, Halep tried to restore order in her game, in particular by being much more realistic. This time, the break points leaned in her favor and she managed to return to a set everywhere.
A suspenseful ending
The third set was undecided with a break exchange to start. Halep showed great strength of character by saving four break points to come back to 2-2. Exhausted by the defense of the Romanian, Pegula gave up her white service in stride. Then a second time by scoring only one point (5-2). But Halep wasn’t going to finish on her serve. Pegula left him only one point to come back to 5-3. She would then save two match points (5-4), but the last stand was over and Halep ended up with a service game that was finally won easily.
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