Halep fights back to win Indian Wells title
World number three comes from a set down to beat Jelena Jankovic in the final.
Simona Halep beat Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to win the BNP Paribas Open, giving the Romanian the biggest title of her career and a WTA Tour-leading third tournament victory of the year.
This was the Romanian’s 11th career WTA title and third this year.
Halep improved to 6-0 in three-set matches this year, smacking a crosscourt forehand winner off Jankovic’s weak volley return on match point.
The world’s third-ranked player advanced to the final after Serena Williams withdrew before their semifinal because of a sprained right knee.
Jankovic won her biggest career title at Indian Wells in 2010. This time, she committed 61 unforced errors and had nine double-faults, smiling wryly after her last one gave Halep match point.