World no. 2 Simona Halep skips US Open, joining the WTA exodus

The second Major of the season in New York is around the corner, with players preparing for a somewhat different US Open. Due to the coronavirus, the season had to stay under the ice for five months, forcing the organizers in New York to impose strict health rules and measures. Many players are not ready to travel to the USA after such a long break and in these conditions, with six top-8 players opting to skip the US Open. After Ashleigh Barty, Elina Svitolina, Elina Svitolina, Bianca Andreescu, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic, the Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will also stay in Europe and miss the USA trip. Simona couldn't return in Palermo, competing for the first time since February last week in Prague and claiming the 21st WTA title, the second in a row after Dubai. The Romanian will skip the US Open for the first time since 2009 when she was still 17, struggling to make an impression in New York but reaching one semi-final in 2015.

Last year, Halep was stunned in the second round by a qualifier Taylor Townsend in the deciding tie break in the second round, hoping to perform on a higher level in 2021. The Romanian has won 15 of 17 matches in 2020, including five on clay in Prague. In the final, Halep took down the 3rd seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 33 minutes, defeating the Belgian for the fourth time in five encounters and continuing where she left in Dubai. Halep ousted Mertens on clay in Madrid and Paris in 2018, repeating that on Sunday despite some troubles in set number two. There were 25 break chances up for grabs, and the Romanian played on a higher level when it mattered the most, defending seven out of ten break points and stealing 56% of the return points, enough for six breaks that carried her over the top. Elise placed a backhand down the line winner in the first game for a strong start, delivering a break to forge a 2-0 advantage.

Simona Halep will skip the US Open for the first time since 2009. 

Halep broke back at love in, securing another at 2-2 with a backhand down the line winner to create the lead. Simona fended off four break chances in game six, ahead of another long game on Mertens' serve. The Belgian got broken despite saving five break points, falling 5-2 behind and allowing Simona to convert the third set point with a service winner and a 6-2 lead, rattling off six consecutive breaks. With the momentum on her side, Halep broke at the beginning of the second set before Mertens broke back to end her downfall. The Romanian was up and running again at 2-2 when Elise hit a double fault, opening a 4-2 lead before the Belgian pulled another break back in game eight with a backhand winner. Elise moved 5-4 in front, giving her best to stay in touch but suffering another break at 5-5 after netting a forehand. Serving for the title in the 12th game, Halep held at 15 to cross the finish line, lifting the second straight title.

"After weighing up all the factors involved and with the exceptional circumstances in which we are living, I have decided that I will not travel to New York to play the US Open. I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision, and I prefer to stay and train in Europe. I know the USTA and WTA have worked tirelessly to put on a safe event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament," Simona Halep said. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31WXoco