Flawless Bertens claims Madrid Open title, Nadal stunned by Tsitsipas

World
Europe

The Netherlands' Kiki Bertens pulled off a surprise 6-4, 6-4 victory over Simona Halep to win the Madrid Open on Saturday, denying the Romanian a return to the top of the world rankings, while also becoming the first woman ever to win the championship without dropping a set.

Making up for her loss in last year's final to Petra Kvitova, the clay court triumph ensured Bertens will move to a career-best fourth in the world rankings on Monday and become the highest ranked Dutchwoman in history.

“At the beginning I was a little bit searching for my game still, but I think the rest of the match I played really solid, really smart,” Bertens told a news conference.

Kiki Bertens of Netherlands celebrates after her final win against Simona Halep of Romania during Madrid Open in Spain, May 11, 2019. /VCG Photo

For her part, Halep had no complaints, congratulating her opponent while admitting she played into Bertens' hands.

“I think I played wrong, and I'm upset about that. I played stupidly today, I did everything that she liked. It was a good match from her. And she deserved to win the title because she played really good tennis throughout the whole week,” Halep said.

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled off one of the biggest wins of his short but remarkable career by beating Rafael Nadal 6-4 2-6 6-3 on Spanish soil on Saturday to book his place in the Madrid Open final against world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates after beating Rafael Nadal of Spain during Madrid Open in Madrid, Spain, May 11, 2019. /VCG Photo

Tsitsipas, 20, had never won a set in his previous three meetings against claycourt specialist and 11-time French Open champion Nadal, but the Greek drew first blood by saving a break point to hold in the 10th game and take the first set.

By his own high standards, Nadal's clay-court swing has been disappointing.

He lost in the last four in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona, arriving in Madrid without winning either tournament for the first time since 2015.

"I have not played well enough," admitted Nadal. "I've won a lot for many years on this surface but this year it hasn't been like that."

(With input from AFP and Reuters)