Halep returns to top 10 after winning National Bank Open for third time: "I'm just dreaming for more"

Former World No.1, Simona Halep continued her return to the top under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou by defeating Beatriz Haddad-Maia to win the National Bank Open for a third time.

The 2016 and 2018 champion prevailed over the Brazilian who is having the best year of her career but fell to Halep who seals a 24th career WTA title.

"It's never easy to play against [Haddad Maia]," Halep said in her post-match press conference. "She beat me a few weeks ago. ... I knew that it was going to be a good challenge and a good fight. So it's been a battle today, and I'm really happy that I could actually be stronger in the important moments."

"It makes it even more special because I really wanted to win it in Toronto as well," Halep added. "Here there are many Romanians and they always come to support me. So I'm really happy that I could also win here."

She returns to the top 10 in the WTA rankings this week as a result and is aiming for more going into the US Open swing.

"I feel like it's a big deal to be back in the Top 10," Halep continued. "When I started the year I was not very confident and I set the goal to be, at the end of the year, Top 10. And here I am. So it's a very special moment. I will enjoy it. I will give myself credit. I'm just dreaming for more."