Belinda Bencic claims Rogers Cup as Simona Halep retires early

Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic capped a fairytale run to the WTA Rogers Cup title on Sunday when a distressed second seed Simona Halep was forced to retire from the final.

Bencic needed nearly two hours and 30 minutes on a sweltering centre court to see off a determined Halep 7-6 6-7 3-0 and claim the biggest title of her young career, putting down a marker as a player to watch at the US Open. 

The 18-year-old's Rogers Cup debut was a memorable one as Bencic's drive to the title included a stunning semi-final upset of world No 1 Serena Williams and two former No 1s in fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki and fifth seed Ana Ivanovic.

"It's like I cannot believe it, and it's amazing," Bencic said. "I have no words for this, and definitely talk about a tough draw."

Halep produced a gutsy effort but the Romanian appeared in trouble right from the start as she struggled with the heat and a sore left thigh that required treatment throughout the match, including a medical time out when medical staff checked her blood pressure.

Down 5-3 in the second and with Bencic serving for the match, the 23-year-old dug deep into her reserves and forced the set to a tie-break which she won to thundering applause from the sun-baked crowd.

But the effort to force a third set proved too much.

Trailing 3-0, Halep went to her chair during the changeover then quickly got up and walked over to Bencic and shook hands, telling her she could not continue.

"I have really enjoyed every match here," added Bencic. "Even if I would have lost it would have been an amazing experience."

Halep added: "Sorry that I couldn't finish the match. I couldn't anymore. I tried very much but it wasn't possible. You were a great fighter today. Well done and all the best."

In the doubles final, third-seeded American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic beat Caroline Garcia of France and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 6-1 6-2.