The Romanian (15th in the world), who won in Montreal in 2016 and 2018, after being a finalist in 2015 in Toronto, won 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) at the expense of an opponent on which she had the psychological advantage before this fourth confrontation, since she had won the first three.
But more than the mind, it was the legs that failed Gauff (11th), combative until the end to return to the match in the second set, although blunted after two previous victories in six hours combined, against the Kazakh Elena Rybakina and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
After the rather easy win of the first set, Halep indeed had to work to get rid of her 18-year-old rival, finalist of the last Roland-Garros, who was able to unbreak four times in the second round.
It was finally in the decisive game that the semi-finalist of the last Wimbledon was able to finish the job, taking advantage of Gauff's chronic failure in service, after 1h49.
"I'm really happy with how I stayed mentally strong," said Halep.
"I fought for every point. It was really important because she was doing the same thing. It's never easy against her."
The 30-year-old Romanian, for whom this will be the 29th semi-final of a WTA 1000, on the road to a possible 9th coronation, will meet for the first time Jessica Pegula (7th), who easily disposed of 6-3, 6 -3 from the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva (46th).
The 28-year-old American, semi-finalist of the event last year, will aim for a second final in the WTA 1000, after Madrid this year, and possibly a second title after the Washington tournament in 2019.
#photo1
"It will be a big challenge to face a new opponent. It's always like that. But it's a semi-final. So for sure she's going to play good tennis. She's solid. I'm going to focus on myself and I'm just going to fight like I do here every time," commented Halep, former world No.1.
© 2022 AFP