Simona Halep beats Belinda Bencic to reach final

Romania's Simona Halep

Simona Halep beat Swiss Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-7 (2/7), 6-0 yesterday to advance to the final of the Madrid Open.

The Romanian could return to the number one ranking with her third title at the Caja Magica. Bencic had defeated Halep in their last two matches, including a Dubai quarter-final in February.

Halep awaits either Dutch seventh seed Kiki Bertens, a finalist in Madrid last year, or 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens. "It's such a nice feeling to be back in the final here. I really enjoy playing in Madrid, it motivates me," Halep said.

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