Halep Rolls Into Guangzhou Quarterfinals
World number two Simona Halep moved into the quarterfinals of the Guangzhou International Women’s Open on Wednesday in China, getting past Timea Babos, 6-4, 6-0.
The match was close through the first nine games, with Halep leading 5-4, but the Romanian turned on another gear following that. After closing out the opening set, she won all six games in the second set, losing just nine points over the last seven games, to cruise past Babos.
“I felt pretty well about the match today because I was playing good tennis,” said Halep. “In the first set she was playing very well, but the second set was a bit easier for me because I did some good points in the important moments. I’m very happy I can be in the quarterfinals here now.”
Halep will play Denisa Allertova in the quarterfinals. Allertova moved past Bojana Jovanovski, 6-3, 7-6(5).
“I’m so happy I have a chance to play against her, because she’s an amazing player,” said Allertova. “She’s number two in the world, so I will have to fight every point like I did today. We will see.”
Halep and Allertova have never played before.
“I don’t know much about her. I haven’t played her yet,” said Halep. “I expect a tough match, though, because everyone is tough here. I’ll just try to stay focused, play my game and try my best.”
The third-seed Sara Errani, fourth-seed Jelena Jankovic, fifth-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and sixth-seed Monica Niculescu all advanced to the quarterfinals as well on Wednesday.
