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Simona Halep outlasts Elina Svitolina at Qatar Total Open

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Simona Halep of Romania plays a forehand in her third round match against Venus Williams of the United States during day six of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Simona Halep of Romania plays a forehand in her third round match against Venus Williams of the United States during day six of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) /
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Romanian tennis star Simona Halep makes her way into the finals at the 2019 Qatar Total Open. The top seed remains the favorite.

Former world number one Simona Halep remains the favorite at this year’s Qatar Total Open. The Romanian great is the top seed at the event and ousts current WTA Finals champion Elina Svitolina most recently. In their semifinals meeting, Svitolina took Halep to three sets but it would be the top seed who advances.

Halep knocks off Svitolina, winning 6-3 3-6 6-4. The Ukrainian tennis star was the fourth seed at the Qatar Total Open.

The top seeded Halep was yet to drop a single set prior to her semifinals meeting with Svitolina. The other semifinals matchup includes German great Angelique Kerber and Elise Mertens. The two square off on Friday at the Qatar Total Open.

Last year, Halep started the WTA Tour as the player to beat. Now, that includes the likes of Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova, and Sloane Stephens among others. Halep needs to make herself standout from the pack and a title win in Doha could be exactly what she needs to do so. Prior to action at the Qatar Total Open, the Romanian reached the fourth round of the Australian Open where she was ousted by American legend Serena Williams.

Look for Halep to be the favorite in the finals this weekend. If Kerber can advance, she may generate some closer odds than Mertens would but neither player can be discounted. Svitolina challenging Halep and forcing her to a third set in the semifinals is a blessing in disguise. The top seed needed to be truly tested prior to a shot at the title.

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Stay tuned to see how the remainder of the 2019 Qatar Total Open unfolds this weekend. Will Kerber or Mertens advance to meet Simona Halep in the finals? Kerber, like Halep, is also a former world number one and Mertens is a rising star on the WTA Tour.

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