Halep Into First U.S. Open Semifinal With Win Over Azarenka
World number two Simona Halep battled through Victoria Azarenka and a rain delay to reach the U.S. Open semifinals for the first time in her career on Wednesday, beating 20th seed Azarenka 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
The two exchanged breaks in the first service games of the match, but a break at 2-1 gave Halep a 3-1 lead and the break advantage. She would go on to serve out the set 6-3, taking advantage of 14 unforced errors from the two-time finalist.
But being the fighter that she is, Azarenka came out strong in the second set. While her serve wasn’t particularly strong, she got to Halep’s serves, and converted on all three of her break point chances to take the set 6-4 and force a deciding third.
Azarenka built on her momentum to start the third, fighting off break points to hold serve and then breaking Halep for a 2-0 lead. But Halep dug deep; breaking right back and building a 40-15 lead on her serve before the rain began to fall and play was suspended.
And it was the Romanian who came out fresher after the delay, getting the break for a 4-3 lead and never looking back. A sailed forehand from Azarenka on match point sealed the deal, and Halep pushed through to the semifinals in Flushing Meadows for the first time.
Halep was just too sharp on the afternoon. She hit 40 winners to just 19 unforced errors over the course of the two hour and 40 minute match.
“I think I played well. I was just trying to find solutions. But she played really well today,” said Azarenka. “I was a little bit surprised by the pace of her ball, to be honest. I think that, and a couple of free points that I gave away today, cost me the match a little bit. But she played very well.”
Halep will take on Italian Flavia Pennetta. The 26th seeded Italian advanced earlier in the day by beating fifth-seed Petra Kvitova, and holds a 3-1 advantage in the head-to-head against Halep.
“I knew when I started the tournament that I have a good game,” said Halep. “I feel great and I have a good mentality coming into this Grand Slam. I had no expecations, no pressure. So that’s why I’m playing so good. It’s a great feeling now that I can be in the semifinals, and of course I want to fight to win it. But we will see, I expect a tough match.”
This match concluded one of the best sets of women’s singles quarterfinals, with all four of them going the full three sets, the first time that has happened since 1982.
