Elise Mertens Beats Simona Halep In Qatar Open To Win Her Biggest Tour Title

Elise Mertens has been claimed by the biggest title of her career as she beats top seed Simona Halep to win the Qatar Open. Mertens, 23, has recovered from a set and a break down by losing 18 points in a row at one stage in the second set and beats the world number three 3-6 6-4 6-3.

For a back issue in the first set, world number 21 Mertens also overcame a lengthy medical time-out. She said that Simona is a great player and it's very nice to get the trophy. Halep, 27, who won the Qatar title in 2014 last time, said that honestly, she wanted to lift this beautiful trophy but Elise deserved it very much. Triumph of Mertens over the Romanian was her third win over a top 10 player in Doha. Angelique Kerber and Kiki Bertens were already beaten by her, a year after she was knocked out of the tournament in the very first round.

Halep outclassed her opponent in the opening set, but Mertens powered back into the match for forcing a decider. In the third set, the players traded breaks, but Mertens broke in the fifth game of the final set to make it 3-2 - the 12th break of serve in 24 games in the match. Halep tried to rally, but at 5-3 and also appearing to be hampered by an injury, she lost her serve, handing Mertens a famous victory.

Born in 1995, Elise Mertens is a Belgian professional tennis player. She has won five singles and six doubles WTA titles as well as 24 ITF titles to date. She has a career-high singles ranking of world No. 12, achieved on 26 November 2018, and a best doubles ranking of No. 13, achieved on 8 October 2018. She has reached a career-high juniors ranking of No. 7 in 2013. At the 2015 Copa Colsanitas, she made her WTA main-draw debut in the doubles event, partnering Nastja Kolar. She won her very first WTA doubles title at the 2016 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, partnering An-Sophie Mestach.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/47266803