Simona Halep won five games in a row in the deciding set against Elina Svitolina in Doha to reach the final of the Qatar Open in Doha.

Down 1-4 in the third set,  Halep came back to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over the Ukrainian Svitolina.

She will play Belgium’s Elise Mertens in Saturday’s final. Merterns beat Angelique Kerber 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in the other semi final.

Halep described her comeback win as “unbelievable”. “I didn’t give up, I promised myself I would never give up against her again because I lost two matches very bad,” said Halep.