Following a week filled with injury woes and a personal tragedy, Simona Halep triumphed at the Indian Wells event, where she won the biggest WTA title of her career with a three-set victory over Jelena Jankovic on Sunday.

While many anticipated smooth sailing for Halep en route to the title, Jankovic proved to be a durable adversary, as she snatched the opening set following two breaks to set the upset. However, Halep eventually worked her way back into the match and overcame a long 62-minute second set to win the match 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.

“First of all I want to congratulate Jelena – you were amazing,” Halep said. “Well done for a great two weeks here. You did a great job, and it was an amazing final. I’m really happy I could win today.

“This is my biggest title and I will never forget it.”

Article Continues Below Ad

This week also happened to be an impressive one for Jankovic, who was reborn in the American desert, where she managed to overcome her tempestuous 12-month injury plague to reach the final of the tournament. The past year saw her drop from world No. 6 to No. 21 but she will now return to the Top 20. It will also serve as a confidence boost for the next few months.

“I was limping three days before the tournament started,” Jankovic said, referring to a hip injury she suffered recently in Doha. “I was actually in doubt if I could even play. When I came to these courts, on the first day I hadn’t hit a ball for 10 days. I was hitting, but I was standing. I was not moving.