Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, currently number 2 in the world, won August’s WTA Shot of the Month, for her backwards backhand winner.

“After a long rally with Sara Errani at the Rogers Cup, Halep had to hit a backhand while running backwards to finally subdue the feisty Italian - and take home this month's top votes,” according to WTA. Watch Simona's shot in the video below.

Halep got 47% of the votes. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska came second with 41%, followed by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina – 6%, and Swiss players Ana Ivanovic – 5% and Belinda Bencic – 1%.

Simona Halep previously won the WTA shot of the month in February this year. Other winners this year were Ana Ivanovic (June), Agnieszka Radwanska (May and March), Angelique Kerber (April), and Maria Sharapova (January).

Halep defeated Kateryna Bondarenko on September 3 in the second round of the US Open, with 6-3, 6-4. The Romanian player will meet Shelby Rogers in the third round. The two will be playing against each other for the first time.

The US Open takes place in the Flushing Meadows, the US, and will end on September 13. The Grand Slam has total prize money of over USD 20 million.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com