The 5th seed grabbed the first set 6-0, with Kerber winning only a third of the points when serving. Although she came back in set two to level the match, Angie could not sustain the effort against a rampant Halep who returned the German serve brilliantly, breaking three more times to win a finals spot 6-0 3-6 6-2.
Madison Keys will be the final hurdle for Simona to clear following the American's straight sets victory over Kristina Kucova. Kucova should remember this tournament for all the matches prior to this disaster which saw Keys serve nine aces, break four times while not facing a single break point on her own serve, and winning two thirds of all points played.
My selection for the final is Madison Keys but I underestimated Halep at my peril in the semi and could well be doing so again.
Toronto will host a Nishikori v Djokovic final. That Novak is there surprises no one - once the wobbly first few games of his semi final were negotiated, the world's best controlled Gael Monfils in a classy display featuring by far the best tennis he has exhibited in the tournament.
A repeat of that will cause Kei Nishikori a mountain of strife, but the Japanese number one is handling big challenges beautifully as evidenced by his destruction of Stan Wawrinka in the other semi final.
The third seed triumphed in straight sets, the second a 6-1 thrashing, on top of a competitive opening set tie break won 8 points to 6.
The only reason to pick Djokovic to lose the final would be a last minute attempt to make up ground in a tennis tipping competition. All logic suggests that because he plays a similar brand of tennis to Nishikori, but a bit better in all facets, Novak should prevail.
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