WTA Toronto: Simona Halep wrestles Coco Gauff down
After a convincing performance, Simona Halep is in the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event in Toronto. The Romanian defeated Coco Gauff in a gripping match 6:4 and 7:6 (2).
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 12, 2022, 08:57 pm
A third marathon in a row would probably not have allowed Coco Gauff's enviable physical condition either: before her quarter-final duel with Simona Halep at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto, the American had already had two matches in her legs, which were in the tie-break of the third set had to be decided.
Halep didn't even let it get that far in the duel with Coco Gauff. The Romanian got off to a strong start and was in control of the first half after an early break. Logical consequence: The former world number one set 6: 4 to 1: 0 sentences.
Halep strong in the tiebreak
Same game in section two: Halep had the better start again, the Romanian managed an early break that safely transported the 30-year-old to a 4-1 lead. Gauff reared up again, came up to 5:5, equalized another break deficit and finally sent the match into a tie-break. In this, a great show of strength by the American failed to materialize: Halep finally won 6: 4 and 7: 6 (2).
Simona Halep is now waiting for the winner of the clash between Jessica Pegula and Yulia Putintseva. The two quarter-finals in the upper half of the tableau will be contested by surprise women Beatriz Haddad Maia and Belinda Bencic as well as Karolina Pliskova and Qinwen Zheng.