Simona Halep is getting used to facing stern challenges in Grand Slam matches because opponents tend to produce their best tennis when they play her.
The most remarkable example of this came at this year’s Australian Open when Lauren Davis pushed Halep all the way to 15-13 in the decider.
And for a time during today’s match with Andrea Petkovic it looked like the Romanian might have a very tough match on her hands as the German matched her shot for shot.
“It always happens the same,” Halep said with a smile in her press conference. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I think they are motivated when they get on court with me.”
“I was in that situation when I was younger and I was playing with the No. 1 in the world. You don’t feel pressure; you don’t feel that you have anything to lose.”
“So you go there and just give your best. It’s good that I have opponents playing at the highest level, because I stay motivated, focused, and I don’t become relaxed on court.”
Petkovic injury ends match as a contest
There were five breaks during a first set that lasted almost an hour as Petkovic forced Halep to find her best tennis to win it 7-5.
However, any chance of a close second set rapidly disappeared after the German hurt her knee. She had treatment and continued but she was clearly unable to move well and lost the set 6-0.
“I saw actually when she hurt herself,” said Halep. “But I didn’t think about her injury. I just kept playing.”
She continued, “I was happy with the performance, and I feel sorry for her that she got injured.”
Halep forced to adjust to new surroundings
Halep’s match with Petkovic was surprisingly placed on Court 18, and the Romanian explained that it provided her with some unfamiliar challenges.
“Today was a little bit different,” said the World No.1. ““Because the court is pretty small, and I felt that all the people were on court with me.”
“So it was tough to adjust myself – coming from Chatrier it’s a bit difficult. But I just needed a few games and then I think I played okay. I think I played well.”
However, Halep insisted she was not bothered by the scheduling. “I’m here to play anywhere,” she said. “I have no problems. Of course it was different, but no excuses.”
“I just tried to find myself on that court. I practiced there last week, so all good.”
The Romanian will now play Elise Mertens in the last 16 after the Belgian thrashed Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-1, and she is happy with how she is performing.
“I play better and better day by day,” Halep said. “Today I really felt the ball, and the game also, and the way that I finished pretty strong gave me confidence. It was my best match here at this tournament.”
