Tennis: Unseeded Mertens beats Halep to win Qatar Open final

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Belgium's Elise Mertens rallied from a set down to beat top seed Simona Halep 3-6 6-4 6-3 and clinch her first Premier-level title at the Qatar Open on Saturday.

"It's a big moment for me, getting that victory," said world No. 21 Mertens, "I think this one would be, especially also with my tennis I played, the nicest one, nicest victory."

Unseeded Mertens recorded three top-10 victories in Doha this week, also beating Kiki Bertens and Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

Halep is the reigning French Open champion and Kerber holds the Wimbledon title.

Mertens, 23, enjoyed a breakthrough 2018 season, winning three titles, and has since maintained her steady progress on the WTA tour.

Simona Halep in action during WTA Qatar Open final in Doha, February 16, 2019. /VCG Photo

Halep, who helped Romania to their first-ever Fed Cup semi-final last weekend, struggled physically in the closing stages and needed medical assistance for treatment on her right foot.

“Honestly, I wanted to lift this beautiful trophy but Elise deserved it very much,” said Halep, who won the Doha title in 2014.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)