Mertens snatched a win for the trophy from world ranking number two in a three-set battle. This top class final was her second successive win over a top-10 player in a short period of time.
Mertens managed to end her week in Doha with a trophy number one title, and a prize of $158,895.
The Belgian slumped to the court in disbelief before getting up to gaze at the clear Doha night sky.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Mertens shook hands with Halep and then quickly darted towards her coach David Taylor to celebrate the biggest win of her young career.
Overall Mertens fired two aces compared to 4 by Halep. It was Mertens’ first win over Halep in three meetings. Halep had never lost a set to Mertens prior to Total final this Saturday.
The final matched concluded with a breath-taking closing ceremony and trophy handing led by H.E shaikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani and H.E Nasser Al Khlaifi.
