Fighter Halep beats Svitolina to enter Qatar Total Open final

Doha, Qatar: Elina Svitolina had beaten Simona Halep in their previous three meetings, including the Rome final last May, and she was well on her way for a fourth on Friday in the semifinal of the Qatar Total Open.

In front of a holiday crowd at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Svitolina had overcome an error-strewn first set to take the second, was up by a break in the decider and at 4-1 had three match points in a marathon sixth game to give herself an opportunity to serve for the match.

But what distinguishes champions from the rest is not just the shots they play or the winners they hit, but also because the fights they put up when everything seems lost.

Like Halep herself said, she played with her heart and mind to save herself and from then on it was a different game.

Inspired by her own fight, Halep was suddenly finding winners from every corner, with every shot and she broke Svitolina to make it 4-3.

Svitolina's game was remarkably transformed after her coach Andrew Bettles came on to the court with some pep talk following her disastrous first set, and the Englishman was again by her side with some much-needed encouragement.

Except this time there would be no change in the pattern of the game as Halep easily held her serve to make it 4-4.

While Svitolina was starting to crumble under pressure, Halep raised her game by a few notches, and a stunning forehand winner from a seemingly hopeless situation gave her a break point.

Though the fourth seed saved it, another superb forehand winner gave her a second break point and this time Svitolina had no answers.

Serving for the match, Halep was all over her opponent who looked in shock with the sudden turnaround and had three match points. Though Svitolina saved one, Halep was soon raising her arms upwards in celebration.

“I won it with my heart and mind,” said Halep. “This was my best match here so far. I was strong on my legs and I wasn’t tired. And to have a chance to win that beautiful trophy again is great.”

Halep will start as clear favourite when she meets surprise finalist Elise Mertens. The Belgian world No.21, playing a steady game throughout the week, defeated three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.

Kerber came back to win the second set after losing the first, only to surrender meekly in the third.