The final of the WTA Rogers Cup was held under steamy conditions today in Toronto. Just how hot was it? Well, Environment Canada issued a “heat warning”; this warning is issued when heat and humidity combine to make for dangerous conditions, especially for people who work or exercise in the heat as well as for children or seniors and those with compromised health conditions. That being said, those were the conditions which formed the backdrop for the women’s final, not exactly an athlete or fan friendly situation. Temperature readings on court during the first set were over 50 degrees Celsius or 125 Farenheit. Conditions have been similar all week and both players have played long and physically demanding matches. To think that their bodies had totally recovered before starting today’s match would have been somewhat naive.
Although the elimination of world #1 Serena Williams by Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the semifinals surprised many fans, it set the stage for an intriguing final match up, a match up between Bencic and the #2 seed, Simona Halep of Romania. Lots of questions were being asked as the match got underway.
Halep had admitted to being tired all week but she had loud support on Centre Court from a large Romanian fan base.
Bencic had already defeated three top ten players this week, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, and of course Serena Williams. The play of Bencic had improved with every match up to the final. Reports of Bencic having wrist and arm issues during her morning warm up also surfaced before the match began.
The first few games clearly showcased the type of physical points that were going to define the match. And there were a few glimpses of perhaps what could be termed final’s nerves. But as the set wore on the physicality of the points and the heat began to play a role. By the time they began the first set tiebreaker, Bencic had unleashed an emotional tirade at her father during on court coaching and Halep had received medical treatment for a left leg issue. And so it was a more aggressive Bencic that sealed the first set 7-6.
After an extended bathroom break between sets Halep returned to the court but the drop in her intensity was clearly visible. Another treatment by the trainer early in the second set and poor movement by Halep seemed to indicate that Bencic was in full control of the match. At 2-3 down the trainer came out again for Halep, blood pressure was measured, ice towels were placed around her neck, as the changeover became a medical timeout that appeared to be for heat related illness. Meanwhile Bencic chilled in the shade at the back of the court taking in the music. When play resumed it was pretty clear that it was only a matter of time and that Halep was fading quickly. But then somehow Halep managed to keep the points short and pull off a few winners, Bencic got a little tight trying to finish it off and although it seemed highly unlikely at the start of the set, the second set went to a tiebreaker. Looking like she was going to collapse in between points, somehow Halep won the tiebreaker. Moving at a snail’s pace Halep left for the locker room much to the dismay of Bencic, but returned ready for a third set. Once play started in the third set, it clearly became evident that Halep was in deep trouble. And although she tried to continue to fight she retired down 0-3 in the third set and Belinda Bencic won her first WTA premier event.
I do not for one second question the determination and effort that both Halep and Bencic displayed during the match under very difficult conditions. What I do question is the reasoning of the WTA to play the match at the hottest time of the hottest day of the tournament. Tickets have been sold in advance, but is it fair to the fans that the match is decided by the elements as opposed to tennis skills. Would it not have been prudent to move the match to the evening when the sun would have been less intense, making the match better for both players and spectators. It seems difficult to imagine either player arriving in Cincinnati in any condition to play a match at the beginning of the week. So the WTA may not have two of its brightest stars for the fans in Cincinnati.
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