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Halep sees off Rybakina to win Dubai title

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World No.2 Simona Halep celebrates after securing her second Dubai title.
Camera IconWorld No.2 Simona Halep celebrates after securing her second Dubai title.

Wimbledon champion Simona Halep battled back from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina and claim her first title of 2020 with victory at the Dubai Duty Free Championships.

Top seed Halep, the world No.2, finally came through 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) after a gruelling contest which lasted just short of two-and-a-half hours.

Kazakhstan's Rybakina has risen from 192 to 19 in the world rankings over the last 12 months - and the 20-year-old looked on course for another upset after claiming the opening set following a break and hold to lead 5-2.

Romanian Halep, though, took command of the second set at 4-1 before swiftly recovering from a loss of serve to break back and then level the match.

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The deciding set proved a tense affair, with each player broken twice.

It would take more than an hour before Halep, the 2015 Dubai champion, finally closed out victory after she recovered from 4-5 down in the tie-break to win three straight points as Rybakina hit a backhand return long from the baseline.

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"It was a great match and I want to congratulate Elena, she played really well," Halep said on WTA Tour media after her victory.

"She is so young and has many years ahead to play at the highest level.

"But I fought hard, I really wanted this tournament because I love playing here and I gave everything I had - now actually I am pretty dead."

The Romanian, who was cheered on by a vocal support, added: "I am proud of this week. I have given my best."

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