Monday 1 November 2021

Kontaveit wins Transylvania Open

Final day in Cluj-Napoca.

2021 Transylvania Open a WTA 250 tournament, on Hard Indoor, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 25-31 October 2021.
No defending champion:
This is a new tournament on the WTA calendar.

Final:

Simona Halep (1) (Romania) v Anett Kontaveit (2) (Estonia)

Halep had won all three previous contests, surrendering a total of only 11 games across those matches. The most recent win was in a quarter final of the 2020 Australian Open.
Halep was in her 40th final, aiming for her 23rd title, the last coming in September 2020 - the Italian Open. 
Kontaveit was attempting to take home her fifth title from her twelfth final. (four titles were won in finals - three this year). Additionally the Grampians Trophy was shared with Ann Li after their final was cancelled in February this year - time ran out due to quarantine before the Australian Open.

Kontaveit saved a break point in the third game, then next game broke Halep, converting with her second chance. 3-1.
At 1-4, Halep was broken again, Kontaveit again converting the second break point available. 5-1.
Halep retrieved one of the breaks, only for Kontaveit to break for a third time and take the set 6-2.

The opening game of set two saw Halep break Kontaveit to love.
Kontaveit broke back in game four for 2-2. 
The Estonian broke again to lead 4-2, and consolidated for 5-2. Halep would need to hold to stay in the match.
Halep saved three match points, couldn't convert game point on five occasions, but finally did on the sixth opportunity, to trail 3-5.
After that longest game of the match, Kontaveit served a love game to win the set and match 6-2 6-3.

This was the second title in a week for Anett Kontaveit, and it propels her into the top ten to a career high ranking of #8 (previously #14).
Importantly, Kontaveit also secured the final spot in the 2021 WTA Finals in Guadalajara.

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