WTA: Rome title defended – Svitolina beats weakened Halep smoothly in two sets

Elina Svitolina has won the title at the WTA-Premier-Tournament in Rome as in 2017. The Ukrainian defeated a visibly battered Simona Halep 6:0 and 6:4.

Anyone who spent a little time at the snack bar of their choice on the way to the women’s final at Campo Centrale was taught by Elina Svitolina about the value of punctuality: it only took a full 19 minutes before the Ukrainian won the first set against Simona Halep 6:0.

Halep seemed paralysed at the start of the sixth match, and coach Darren Cahill’s visit after a quarter of an hour did not help either. After all, Svitolina had already won five games there, the Romanian none.

After all: In the second round of the 2017 final, the first in the world rankings started better and took the lead for the first time. A year ago Halep had problems with her ankle after a fall, lost in three sets. The revenge came at the French Open in the quarter-finals, when Svitolina gave up a victory she thought was certain.

On this Sunday in Rome, however, the defending champion did not let up at first, winning Halep’s 2-1 serve.

After five games in the second set Halep had to leave the court, take a medical break. Meanwhile in front of almost full ranks. Halep returned slightly improved, defending three break points to 2-5. After 67 minutes, however, a forehand from Halep landed in the net, the last point in the game in favor of Svitolina.

Elina Svitolina, who defeated Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals, clinched her third tournament victory of the current season. Before Rome, the 23-year-old from Odessa, who lives in Monte Carlo, had already had success in Brisbane and Dubai.