Top-seeded Simona Halep defeated third-seeded Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-5 in the Prague Open final on Sunday to claim her 21st WTA title. It was the eighth title on clay for Halep, the first since she won the 2018 French Open. 23-ranked Mertens jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opening set before Halep took charge, taking six straight games. After the final, Halep said she would decide on Monday if she is ready to play at the forthcoming U.S. Open. The players were isolated on one floor of a Prague hotel that was completely booked by tournament organizers.-AP

Source: The Standard August 16, 2020 13:30 UTC