Simona Halep lost the final at the Transylvania Open. The Romanian came across a much too fit player, Anett Kontaveit , who prevailed 6-2, 6-3 and qualified for the Tournament of Champions
Transylvaia Open, final: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveit 2-6, 3-6
Even though the match started under the sign of balance, Kontaveit prevailed with fewer mistakes and stronger shots and won the first set 6-2. Simona also seemed a little more tired, but maybe with back pain, after what happened in the last few days.
His best shot was the backhand, especially the long one, but his opponent scored with an extremely strong and placed forehand. Halep, who made 15 unforced errors in the first set alone, was unable to come back in the second either, even if she gave that sensation just when Kontaveit was 5-2.
But she made 4 double faults in the match, compared to just one for the Estonian, who won her fourth tournament in 2021.
LIVE VIDEO Transylvaia Open, final: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveit 2-6, 3-6:
UPDATE at 18:48: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 3-6. Game, set and match for Kontaveit, who qualifies for the Tournament of Champions for the first time. Simona remains without a WTA trophy since September 2020.
UPDATE at 18:45: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 3-5. After a close fight, Simona finishes the longest range of the match in style, after a few laps along the line. Halep made her fourth double fault of the match at a crucial moment when it still looked like she might take the game. At one point, he hoped again, after a lapel down the line. Incidentally, this was Simona’s best shot, who still takes the game
UPDATE at 18:34: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-5. Five consecutive games for the Estonian, who dominates in all chapters.
UPDATE at 18:29: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-4. Another winning return makes Kontaveit have won 4 games in a row, the last of them with a break.
UPDATE at 18:26: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-3. The Estonian looks better physically and knows that this match can qualify her for the Champions Tournament, so she fights for every ball.
UPDATE at 18:22: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-2. Break Kontaveit. The Estonian “walks” Simona all over the court, and the Romanian does not reach the forehands of her opponent, who recovers the break.
UPDATE at 18:17: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-1. Even though Simona has raised her level of game, the Estonian wins her serve.
UPDATE at 18:14: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 2-0. The Romanian makes longer and better controlled rallies.
UPDATE at 18:10: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6, 1-0. Perfect start in the second act, with zero range.
UPDATE at 18:06: Simona Halep – Anett Kontaveitt 2-6. Even though it looked like he could turn the situation around, Simo couldn’t hold out against the Estonian, who takes the first set. It’s possible that back problems are starting to take their toll. Simona made 15 unforced errors in this set, but also two double faults. The first act lasted 28 minutes.
