Halep comes from set behind to beat Jankovic in BNP Paribas Open final at Indian Wells

Romanian tennis ace Simona Halep came back from a set to beat Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a gripping BNP Paribas Open final at Indian Wells.

Jankovic looked in control after winning the first set with three breaks of serve and breaking early in set two, but the world number three denied the Serb as Halep broke her four times in a second set that saw six successive breaks.

The decider was also dominated by breaks of serve with four in a row but Halep held at 3-3 and recorded the 18th break of the match to win it, the BBC reported.

Jankovic said that Simona was unbelievable, adding that they were running like two dogs and in the end she couldn't keep up any more, insisting that the Romanian is the younger one.

Halep, who received a bye to the final after Serena Williams pulled out of their semifinal with an injury, was expected to be fresher, having had three days off, but it was the 2010 Indian Wells champion Jankovic who began more aggressively, breaking in the opening game.

The number three seed broke back immediately but two more breaks by Jankovic saw her wrap up the first set. The second set was a topsy-turvy affair with the players exchanging six breaks of serve before Halep held and broke Jankovic to level the match.

After winning her third title of the year, Halep said that it was an amazing final and she is really happy that she could win, adding that it is her biggest title and she would never forget it.