Simona Halep has completed a dream week at the Mutua Madrid Open to win her first WTA title since March 2015.
The Romanian, seeded sixth in the Spanish capital, brushed aside unseeded Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 6-4 to win in one hour 20 minutes.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” said Halep. “I’m very, very pleased for this.
“It’s a special day for me and a special feeling. It was so important for me to win this event. I have more confidence and I believe in myself more now.”
Halep, who last won at Indian Wells last year, won her 12th WTA title on the back of stellar tennis at the Premier Mandatory event.
En route to the title she trounced last year’s Roland Garros semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky and 2010 French finalist Sam Stosur.
She also navigated a 1-3 head-to-head deficit against Cibulkova to turn the tables in emphatic fashion on Saturday.
“It was amazing on court. I just want to keep that feeling for a long time,” Halep said.
Said Cibulkova: “Of course I’m a little sad. I don’t want this loss to get into the great feelings of this week.
“Playing the finals here – it’s a great experience.”
6 September 2017
Yes, you read that right. Tomorrow, Andrey Rublev is going to walk out on court to play th... More
23 February 2017
On this day in 1867 Major Walter Wingfield tried to patent 'A portable Court of Playing Te... More
13 November 2017
Jack Sock had just played half volley against Roger Federer at the ATP Finals that lofted... More
23 February 2016
Tennis is a funny old game. People love you one minute and then want to drop you the next;... More
© 2024 Tennis Australia