Halep reigns supreme in Canada

Simona Halep succeeded where she failed 12 months ago by lifting the Rogers Cup thanks to a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory over Madison Keys on Sunday.

Simona Halep in the Rogers Cup final, she defeated Madison Keys 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

Simona Halep succeeded where she failed 12 months ago by lifting the Rogers Cup thanks to a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 victory over Madison Keys on Sunday.

Romanian Halep was a losing finalist to Belinda Bencic 12 months ago in Canada, but this time it was the fifth seed that was left celebrating.

The match pitted two of the Tour's in-form players against one another, Halep having won 22 of her past 25 matches and Keys 21 of her past 24.

In truth, the first set was low on quality and there were eight breaks of serve, while Keys - playing in the biggest final of her career - recorded 27 unforced errors and Halep just one winner.

But Halep, who now climbs to world number three, was more clinical in the second set and she clinched a third title of the season having already won in Madrid and Bucharest.

Both players toiled on serve in a topsy-turvy opening set, and it appeared as though Halep had gained the upper hand when a double fault from Keys gifted her opponent a 4-2 lead, only for the American to hit back again in game eight.

Halep then twice broke her opponents serve to earn the opportunity to serve out for the opener, only to surrender the advantage on each occasion.

However, it was one-way traffic in the breaker as Keys' error count crept up.

Halep quickly wrestled the initiative in the second set, a stunning lob and two poor forehand errors from Keys handing her a 2-0 lead.

This time it was an advantage that Halep would not relinquish, and she served out at the first time of asking when Keys put a forehand into the net.