Timea Bacsinszky and Simona Halep faced off against each other for a spot in the semi finals in Miami. Both players have been in impressive form recently, so there were high hopes for the match. Halep started off strongly, however, the Romanian could not keep her level up for the remainder of the match, which allowed Bacsinszky to take control.
Halep and Bacsinszky had only played on one previous occasion, prior to their match today. This happened in 2015 final when two played in Shenzhen, and was won in straight sets by Halep.
Halep Takes The First Set
Bacsinszky and Halep opened the match with strong hold of serves. In the third game, the Romanian got herself ahead in the set. Bacsinszky had the opportunity to hold her serve, but Halep found a way to prevent her from winning the game. The Romanian then capitalized on her first break point chance to take the game, and put herself on the front foot.
Halep consolidated the break in the next game, before having a chance to extend her lead in the set. This time around though, Bacsinszky managed to stop Halep from taking the break point opportunity before going on to hold her serve.
After another hold of serve each, Bacsinszky found herself level in the set. The Swiss player took her first break point of the match to break Halep and put the set back on serve. Unfortunately for Bacsinszky her comeback was short lived, as Halep broke back straight away. The Romanian player put herself back in the lead and in the position to serve for the set. Whilst serving for the set, Halep did not faulter. The world number five took the game and set, on the first time of asking.
Bacsinszky Fights Her Way Back Into The Match
Bacsinszky started the second set strongly, as she comfortably won her service game before breaking Halep. The Swiss player, took her first break point opportunity to win the game, and put herself 2-0 up in the set. Halep mounted a slight comeback, however, as she took control of Bacsinszky's inability to consolidate the break.
The Romanian got herself back in the set by winning the previous game and looked like she may regain control. However, Halep failed to back up the break of serve which allowed Bacsinszky to put herself in front once again. The Swiss player, capitalized on some poor play by Halep, to take the game on the first opportunity.
Bacsinszky had a 3-1 lead in the set, and just needed to hold her serve to win the set. Halep needed to win on her service games to keep herself within touching distance of her opponent. For the remainder of the set, both players did do just that. After a series of games won by the player who was serving the score was at 5-3, which gave Bacsinszky the chance to serve for the set.
The Swiss player, struggled to serve the set out, as Halep battled hard to try and keep herself in the match. After two failed attempts to take set point, Bacsinszky won the game and the set, on the third time of asking. By successfully serving the set out, Bacsinszky took the match to a decisive third set.
Bacsinszky Comfortable In The Final Set
With all the momentum in her corner after she won the second set, Bacsinszky raced into a strong lead. The Swiss player broke Halep in the opening game, making the most of the second break point she was given. Bacsinszky then consolidated the break before putting herself even further ahead in the set. Halep was looking tired, and was playing nowhere near the level she was in the first set. This was shown as Bacsinszky broke Halep once again, after being gifted a third break point opportunity in the game.
After another strong hold of serve by Bacsinszky, Halep eventually got herself onto the scoreboard. The Romanian fought off a break point before holding her serve, to win her first game of the set. This did nothing to deter Bacsinszky, who raced through her service game. Halep won one final game, before Bacsinszky took the match.
Bacsinszky had the pressure on her to serve the set out. The Swiss player did not faulter as she comfortably held her serve to love, which gave her the game, set and the match. After a close contest, Bacsinszky defeated Halep 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in around two and a half hours. Bacsinszky now progresses into the semi final of the tournament where she will face either Svetlana Kuznetsova or Ekaterina Makarova.