Halep Wins First Rome Masters After Pliskova Retires

The Rome women’s event came to a disappointing conclusion Monday when Karolina Pliskova retired from the final after being down 6-0, 2-1 to Simona Halep.

Pliskova, who won the Rome title last year, couldn’t finish due to a left thigh injury.

“Overnight, it started to really not feel good, and so I was thinking about whether I should play at all,” Pliskova said. “You want to go and try, though it probably didn’t look so good. Huge credit to Simona, though, because against anyone else, maybe it would have been possible, but she doesn’t give you much for me, so I would have had to be 100%.”

Said Halep, “It’s not the end of the tournament that you wish for, but I felt amazing in the first set and I was very confident that, even if we kept playing, I would have chances to win the match. I don’t take negatives from this. Of course, I feel sorry for her because an injury is an injury and that’s never easy.”

Halep’s win streak improved to 14 straight. She’s now won her last three events and earned her first Rome title after two previous runner-ups.

“I’ve finally won it,” said Halep. “I love this tournament, and I play well here almost every year – besides last year, of course. I started my rise up the rankings at this tournament in 2013, so I’ve always dreamed of having this title. I’m really happy that it happened today.”

Halep is now the clear favorite to win a second French Open title. The tournament begins on Sunday.