Simona Halep captured her third career Canadian Open title Sunday with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win over Beatriz Haddad Maia in Toronto.

“It’s never easy to play against her,” Halep said in her post-match press conference. “I knew that it was going to be a good challenge and a good fight. So it’s been a battle today, and I’m really happy that I could actually be stronger in the important moments.”

Halep won in Canada in 2016 and 2018, and now adds another title to her trophy cabinet, her 24th of her career and second of 2022. She had never won a event more than twice until Canada.

“It makes it even more special because I really wanted to win it in Toronto as well,” Halep added. “Here there are many Romanians and they always come to support me. So I’m really happy that I could also win here.”

Halep will also return to the Top 10 with the title.

The 26-year-old Haddad Maia, who beat Halep in June, fought hard after huge wins this week over Leylah Fernandez, Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic and Karolina Pliskova.

She was bidding for her third title.