Dutch player Bertens blasts past Halep for Cincinnati title

World No. 17 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands staged a remarkable comeback win to claim the biggest title of her career at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, saving a championship point to overcome world No. 1 Simona Halep of Romania 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 and hoist the trophy in Cincinnati.

"I think I didn't have really a good time to get nervous, because I was just so tired," Bertens said during her post-match press conference. "I think it was such a tough match, and after winning that second set I knew, like, anything is still possible."

The incredible year of Bertens continued with her second title of 2018, following her championship run in Charleston during the spring. The Dutchwoman evaded a match point in the second-set tiebreak before emerging triumphant in two hours and five minutes after a dominant deciding set.

"I had a chat with coach Raemon at 2-1 in the third set and I was like, 'I'm dead,'" Bertens admitted. "Then I said to myself, 'No, I can do this. Let's go for it.'"

"I was like, 'Yeah, I know this feeling,'" Bertens added. "I had this feeling before in the practices. So I know that I can keep on going. It's for a title, so of course you can always give a little extra and just go for it. And that's what I did."

Halep was aiming to become the first woman to win the premier Rogers Cup and Cincinnati Open titles back-to-back, but saw her match-winning streak end at nine.

"We played many rallies, and it was very physical match, that's why in the end I couldn't make it anymore," said Halep after the match. "But Bertens played really well, and she really deserves to win this title, because her level was very high."