By her own admission, Simona Halep didn’t have the year she would’ve liked in 2021, but the Romanian star appears to be back with a vengeance.
Simona Halep’s quest for WTA redemption gathered steam with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over Veronika Kudermetova in the final of the Melbourne Summer Set on Sunday.
Halep finished 2020 as World No. 2 but after a career-worst year by her own admission, found herself clinging desperately to the top 20 ahead of the Australian Open.
Landing on Aussie soil with a point to prove, the Romanian could hardly have asked for a stronger start to her year nor a better preparation for the Australian Open.
She dropped only the one set en route to the final of the Melbourne Summer Set, and once there, was just as dominant when faced with her most challenging match-up of the tournament.
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Kudermetova entered the match with fresh legs, having earned a day off when an injured Naomi Osaka withdrew from the semi-finals.
But the Russian couldn’t capitalise on the rest day.
Instead she lacked the polish of her more experienced opponent, who committed eight unforced errors in the first set to Kudermetova’s 18.
Halep proved capable of weathering Kudermetova’s powerful serve and better at getting behind her own, as she ran away to claim the first set comfortably.
Kudermetova was fired up in the second, apparently as much out of self-frustration as anything else, and the passion paid dividends early.
The Russian opened up a two-game lead but the momentum was to be short-lived, as the unflappable Halep showed her experience on the big stage.
Kudermetova took out just one of the last seven games played, as Halep claimed her 23rd singles title and first in almost 18 months.
“It’s really nice to come back here and play in front of you,” Halep said to the Melbourne crowd afterwards.
“Thank you for your support. It’s always a pleasure.
“Australia is part of my heart.”
Earlier, American Amanda Anisimova hoisted the Gippsland Trophy as winner of the Melbourne Summer Set 2.
Anisimova and Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich played out a three-set thriller at Rod Laver Avena, with the American ultimately triumphing to open her account in 2022.
Anismiova is coached by former Aussie tennis pro Darren Cahill, who also coached Halep until late September.
The pair ended their professional relationship on amicable terms, and Cahill was one of the many Aussies at Rod Laver Arena cheering for Halep and her thoroughly-deserved title victory on Sunday.
Originally published as Simona Halep notches convincing win in crucial pre-Australian Open tournament
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