Tennis - Halep beats Kvitova to win New Haven Open

The unseeded Halep followed up her win over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki the previous night with a ruthless demolition of Kvitova, one of the leading contenders for the U.S. Open, starting in New York on Monday.

Trailing 2-1 and facing double break point on her serve, Halep suddenly raised her standards, reeling off the next nine games in a row to clinch the opening set and jump out to a 4-0 lead in the second.

Kvitova, who won the New Haven Open last year, briefly threatened a comeback by winning two of the next three games before Halep closed out the match with an ace.

The 21-year-old Romanian captured the first WTA title of her career at Nurnberg in mid June but has been on a hot streak ever since.

She also won titles at 's-Hertogenbosch and Budapest and her first Premier-level success catapulted her into the top 20 for the first time when the new world rankings are released on Monday.

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Tennis - Kvitova and Halep advance to New Haven Open final

Kvitova showed no mercy against her Czech Fed Cup team mate, racing to victory in just 50 minutes, to remain on course to defend the title she won in Connecticut last year.

Kvitova's opponent in Saturday's final will be Romania's Simona Halep, who upset four-times New Haven Open winner Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2 7-5.

"I don't think I've played Simona before," said Kvitova. "I know that she's a very good mover."

For Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011, Saturday's final provides her with the chance to claim her 11th career title and her second this year.

The 23-year-old had struggled in her previous matches so was relieved to get through quickly against her compatriot.

"It was nice to finally have a two-setter," she said.

"I was asked in a press conference this week if I prefer shorter matches. And I said, 'Of course, I prefer shorter matches but it's not always up to me!'"

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