article_snippet: The Romanian looked down and out on more than one occasion as Simona Halep struggled with a foot problem and Jelena Jankovic gave Simona Halep an almighty let-off when Simona Halep passed up the chance to serve for a second Indian Wells title.
article_snippet: But in the end the battling qualities of Simona Halep, coupled with the instability of Jelena Jankovic who virtually went to pieces as the match went on, got the third seed over the line 2-6, 7-5, 6-4. '
article_snippet: this had not looked like being a celebration for Simona Halep early on as Serbian Jelena Jankovic dominated.
article_snippet: Jelena Jankovic secured the first advantage, taking the last of five break points to come Jelena Jankovic way in the opening game when Simona Halep slapped a forehand long, but Simona Halep was immediately broken back.
article_snippet: Serve held for two games after that, but Jelena Jankovic moved out in front again, turning a 30-0 deficit into a second break for 3-2.
article_snippet: That would be the last of Simona Halep in the set, as Jelena Jankovic served out two games and took another against the serve courtesy of a wild Simona Halep forehand to take the set 6-2.
article_snippet: Simona Halep called for the trainer and appeared to have work done to Simona Halep left foot during the rest, but looked fine as Simona Halep returned to the court and took the first game of the second, ending a five-game streak against Simona Halep.
article_snippet: There was no question that Simona Halep was in trouble, though, Simona Halep discomfort obvious and the game her first since Wednesday owing to the fact Simona Halep semi-final with Serena Williams was cancelled when the American pulled out injured.
article_snippet: But despite being broken early in the set, Simona Halep hit back by taking Jankovic's serve to love.
article_snippet: Simona Halep had little to do as Jankovic imploded, sending a two-hander long and then hitting a short backhand into the net.
article_snippet: It appeared to be a momentary blip for Jankovic who broke straight back but three double faults when serving to go within a game of the title cost Jankovic and Halep nailed a backhand winner to level at 4-4.
article_snippet: But the see-saw nature of the match ensured Jankovic took the next, again securing a break as Jankovic took the second of two points, planting an overhead winner to break down Halep.
article_snippet: Jankovic had to call coach Chip Brooks to the chair in the break to calm Jankovic down, the pair having an emotional exchange, and tensions were higher at the end of the next game as Jankovic was broken again - a fifth game in a row - when Jankovic slapped a backhand into the net.
article_snippet: Halep was buzzing now and took the next game, a rare hold of serve, and then broke Jankovic - now the player looking pained - to take Halep to a decider.
article_snippet: Jankovic threw all Jankovic had at the Romanian but came up agonisingly short in a long final .
article_snippet: Jankovic got the first break of it, a huge slice of fortune falling Jankovic way as a backhand clipped the net and dropped over, leaping Halep stranded and a break down.
article_snippet: It was soon 2-2, though, Jankovic raging as the chair umpire mistakenly called game on Jankovic serve only to rewind and call second serve, on which Halep took a break.
article_snippet: There was no surprise at all that Jankovic responded by winning on Halep's serve, and even fewer raised eyebrows as another break followed, before Halep held Halep together on Jankovic own delivery to go 4-3 ahead.
article_snippet: Jankovic then broke for what felt the countless time to go 5-3 up and on the brink of victory but in keeping with the match
article_snippet: Jankovic serve with a wild backhand before taking the title, fittingly, with a break as Jankovic came in short on a forehand and made no mistake.