Halep beats Jankovic in 3 sets for Indian Wells title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) Simona Halep beat Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 to win the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, giving the Romanian the biggest title of her career and a WTA Tour-leading third tournament victory of the year.

Halep improved to 6-0 in three-set matches this year, smacking a crosscourt forehand winner off Jankovic's weak volley return on match point. The world's third-ranked player advanced to the final after Serena Williams withdrew before their semifinal because of a sprained right knee.

Jankovic won her biggest career title at Indian Wells in 2010. This time, she committed 61 unforced errors and had nine double-faults, smiling wryly after her last one gave Halep match point.

The 2 1/2-hour match featured 18 service breaks.

Halep earned $900,400 and Jankovic $439,420.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic played No. 2 Roger Federer for the men's title later.