MASON, Ohio (AP) — Top-ranked Simona Halep needed only eight points to complete a gritty comeback that was put on hold overnight by rain, beating qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Western & Southern Open on Thursday afternoon.

Rain resulted in three matches suspended overnight. Halep had overcome an injury and staged a third-set rally when the storm arrived.

She appeared to aggravate her lower back on a 105 mph serve Wednesday and took a medical timeout after dropping the first three games of the final set. She then ran off four straight games for a 4-3 lead when rain arrived.

She finished it off in 5 minutes Thursday afternoon. Halep will face Ashleigh Barty in the last match on Thursday night.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Simona Halep, of Romania, prepares to serve to Ajla Tomljanovic, of Australia, during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/08/web1_121165886-9ba5541d31c2430784b3fb7f568f6144.jpgSimona Halep, of Romania, prepares to serve to Ajla Tomljanovic, of Australia, during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Ajla Tomljanovic, of Australia, returns to Simona Halep, of Romania, during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/08/web1_121165886-e79e096567a3425f8f283d095f40278b.jpgAjla Tomljanovic, of Australia, returns to Simona Halep, of Romania, during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Attendants dry center court before play begins at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/08/web1_121165886-83aef46d68514b7b920eba9f72875760.jpgAttendants dry center court before play begins at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)