World No. 1 Halep Commits to New Haven

French Open champ will be making her first
appearance in Connecticut since 2014.

By Bob Phillips

NEW HAVEN—Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better… well, they did. Simona Halep, the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player, will be playing in the Connecticut Open next month. The reigning French Open champ joins the impressive field as a wild card.

This will be the fourth appearance in New Haven for the 26-year-old Romanian—and her first since 2014. The previous year, she defeated four-time CT Open champ Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals, and went on to defeat then-defending champ Petra Kvitová in the final.

“I am excited to return to Connecticut this summer, and am grateful for the opportunity,” said Halep. “I have some happy memories from my title in 2013, and always enjoy playing in front of the fans there. The tournament’s strong field and similar conditions to New York make it a great way to prepare for the U.S. Open, so I’m looking forward to being back.”

Halep, who earned her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in May, is having an exceptional year, having reached at least the quarterfinal round in 10 of the 12 events she has entered this year. She has reached the finals in four of them—second in that department behind Kvitová. Indeed, she is 35-9 as World No.1, and since entering the Top 10 in January 2014, Halep holds the longest active streak in the Top 10. 

“Five years ago, Simona won our tournament as an unseeded rising star on the WTA Tour,” said tournament director Anne Worcester. “Simona returns this year as the No.1 player in the world and the current French Open champion, which just goes to show that the Connecticut Open showcases
not only young, up-and-coming players, but also the best in women’s tennis.”

Indeed, Halep currently ranks first in the Porsche Race to Singapore rankings. Other top-ranking Porsche players committed to New Haven include No. 4 Kvitova, No. 7 Daria Kasatkina, and No. 11 Julia Goerges.

The Connecticut Open’s 30-player singles draw currently features 22 players – 20 direct acceptance and two wild cards (American Danielle Collins is the other wild card recipient) – with the direct entry ranking cut-off at No. 35. Two wildcards remain to be filled, with six players advancing from the 48-player qualifying draw completing the field. The top two seeds at the tournament will receive a first-round bye.

—With Kristine Phillips and Staff Reports