Two-time major winner equals Serena Williams record as she returns to world’s top 10

Simona Halep will return to the world’s top 10 for the first time since August 2021 after reaching the final of the National Bank Open. 

Halep came from a set down to beat US star Jessica Pegula in the semis and set up a clash with Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Sunday. 

The Romanian is bidding to win her ninth WTA 1000 trophy and her 24th career title overall. 

Seeded 15th for the tournament, Halep has been in stunning form this past week –– dropping just one set in five matches. 

The 30-year-old secured victories against Donna Vekic, Zhang Shuai and Jil Teichmann, before comfortably beating 10th seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals. 

Facing Pegula in the last four, Halep struggled from the baseline at first but found her rhythm in the second set and soon wrestled the momentum back in her favour. 

In the end, the Romanian closed out the match in two hours and 12 minutes – equalling Serena Williams’ record of reaching 18 WTA 1000 finals since 2009. 

Speaking afterwards, Halep said: “I changed a little bit the tactics. In the first set, it was a little bit too fast. She was hitting super strong and I didn’t feel the rhythm. Then I just calmed down and I tried to just push her back a little bit more.”

2⃣9⃣th WTA 1000 semifinal