Simona Halep will take part in the National Bank Open semi-final for the fifth time in her career.
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Romanian, 15e world racket, this Friday defeated the American Coco Gauff (11e) in two sets of 6-4 and 7-6 (2) to access the four aces for the second consecutive year.
Cheered on by raucous compatriots in the stands, Halep credited the cheering for her.
“I know that I can count on their support every time I come here to Canada and I am very grateful for that,” she said before leaving the court.
Fright in 2e sleeve
The protege of renowned trainer Patrick Mouratoglou overcame her young rival in just under two hours.
Not really worried in the first set, Halep saw her rival come back as she led 4-1.
More convincing, Gauff forced a tiebreaker which the winner however survived.
The 30-year-old Halep will be aiming for a third title in Canada after winning top honors in Montreal in 2016 and 2018.
Against Pegula
In the semifinals, she will face Jessica Pegula, 7e World Cup, which defeated the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in two identical sets of 6-3.
As for Beatriz Haddad Miai, who fell from Quebec’s Leylah Fernandez in the second round, she became the first Brazilian to reach the semi-final of a WTA tournament when she eliminated Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in three sets of 2-6. , 6-3 and 6-3.
She will face the winner of the match between Karolina Pliskova and Zheng Qinwen which was in progress at the time of going to press.
Returning to Pegula, she also advanced to the semi-final round in doubles with compatriot Coco Gauff after they beat American Desirae Krawczyk and Dutch Demi Schuurs in straight sets 6-3, 2-6. and 10-3.
Only Dabrowski remains
Moreover, following the elimination of Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime in Montreal, Gabriela Dabrowski remains the only Canadian representative to continue her career at the National Bank Open, whether in Montreal or Toronto.
Dabrowski and her partner, Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos, seeded second, on Friday defeated the pair formed by Slovenia’s Andreja Klepac and American Alexa Guarachi in three sets of 6-2, 2-6 and 1-0 ( withdrawal) to advance to the doubles semi-final in the Queen City. They will compete on Saturday against the duo made up of Australian Ellen Perez and American Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
Dabrowski took top honors in the competition (along with Brazilian Luisa Stefani) last year in Montreal.