Simona Halep, 15th in the world, qualified for the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 in Toronto on Friday, beating 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) the American Coco Gauff (11th), who appeared dull after her two previous victories in six cumulative hours. Semi-finalist of the last Wimbledon, Halep had the psychological advantage before this fourth confrontation, since she had won the first three.
After the rather easy win of the first set, she had to work to get rid of her 18-year-old rival, finalist of the last Roland-Garros, who was able to unbreak four times in the second set. It was finally in the decisive game that Halep was able to finish the job, taking advantage of a still failing serve from Gauff, after 1h49.
Jessica Pegula to follow
The 30-year-old Romanian, winner of this Canada Open in 2016 and 2018 which was played in those years in Montreal, will face in the semi-final Jessica Pegula (7th), who easily disposed of 6-3, 6-3 from the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva (46th). The 28-year-old American, semi-finalist of the event last year, will aim for a second final in the WTA 1000, after Madrid this year, and possibly a second title after the Washington tournament in 2019.
