Simona Halep carries her winning streak going on in Bastad – Tennis News
Romanian blooming star, Simna Halep, breezed past the local wild card entrant, Rebecca Petersen, with a bagel at the Collector Swedish Open on Wednesday. She jolted down a 6-4, 6-0 victory against the local challenger to power
into the second round at this WTA International event taking place in Bastad, Sweden.
Seeded second in this event, Halep made a slow start and eventually fell at 0-2. However, she went berserk afterwards and subsequently stayed on track to grab her fourth title in sixth week.
"I didn't know my opponent before the match, but she played really well," Halep was quoted in a courtside interview after stealing the show. "She's a tough, strong player. If she keeps playing like that and improving she will do
big things in the future."
The Romanian is in awesome run of form this season. She conquered crown at Nurnberg and s-Hertogenbosh before falling in the second round at the Wimbledon Championships. However, she re-ignited her spark in Budapest last week and
carried her momentum in Bastad.
The in-form Romanian reflected further, "It was a bit difficult to play today because I'm a little bit tired, but I'm feeling good physically and with my game, so I'm just trying to enjoy every match."
Ranked 23rd in the WTA Premier Rankings, Halep suffered the first blow in the second game and fell at 0-2. However, she went on a four-game killing spree and leaped to a 4-2 lead. Despite levelling the scores in the
eighth game, the Romanian cashed another break chance and eventually pulled out the opener with a 6-4 win.
Halep unleashed flurry of groundstrokes in the following set. She reeled off six games and clinched the set with a bagel.
Next in line for Halep is the former Top 10, Flavia Pennetta from Italy.
"I have to be more aggressive in the next match," the booming Romanian commented about his next match-up. "She's very good. She was a top player. I also have to relax because if I'm nervous she'll beat me for sure. I have to be
calm and enjoy it."
Halep was edged out by the Italian veteran in their only encounter three years ago.
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