MADRID: Simona Halep has kept her hopes of a second consecutive Madrid Open title alive after fighting back to defeat Roberta Vinci 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(2).
Facing one of the favorites for the title, Vinci’s chances appeared slim. She previously lost to the Romanian three times on the clay between 2012-2014. Furthermore, she has never progressed beyond the third round of the tournament. A sharp contrast to Halep, who reach the final in 2014 and won the title in 2016.
Halep’s convincing start to the match saw her roar from a break down to win four consecutive games to seal the opening set. A similar scenario occurred in the second, but this time it was in Vinci’s favor. An elevation in the Italian’s form saw her forced a decider with relative ease.
“Her game is not easy to play. Her slices are very difficult to return. She was also hitting pretty strong with her forehand today, serve, everything.” Halep said about Vinci.
Vinci’s resurgence was one that tested Halep’s morale and hopes of a second Madrid title. An 11-point winning from the Italian saw her hit a series of spectacular forehand winners, on route to a 4-1 stronghold in the decider. Still, it was not enough to deny Halep, who battled back to take proceedings into a tiebreaker.
With everything to play for, the match ended with a one-way show in Halep’s favor. Her comeback had ripped Vinci’s spirit and mentality in the match to pieces. A series of errors from the former US Open finalist guided Halep to the win after almost two hours of play.
“I was close to losing the match.But I stayed strong. I stayed focused. I didn’t give up. That makes this match much more like bigger for me. It means a lot.”
The match saw both Halep and Vinci hit a total of 28 winners, but the telling factor was their error count. Halep’s total of 14 was overshadowed by her opponents 25.
Awaiting the world No.8 in the third round will be Australian Sam Stosur in what will be a rematch of last year’s semi-final. The 16th seed claimed an impressive 82% of her first service points to dismiss Colombia’s Mariana Duque-Marino 6-3, 7-5. Halep is currently tied 4-4 in her head-to-head with Stosur.
“I know Sam pretty well. We played many times together. It’s going to be very difficult. Her topspin is not easy to return.” The Romanian explained.
“I played her here last year, so I know what I have to do. Still, it’s going to be a tough match.”
The Sharapova debate comtinues
In the wake of Eugenie Bouchard’s latest comment regarding Maria Sharapova, Halep weighed in on the debate. The Canadian said yesterday that people on the tour has been wishing her luck ahead of her clash with Sharapova, which she won in three sets.
“I didn’t wish good luck to Bouchard because we don’t speak, actually. She’s different, I can say.” Halep said of her frosty relationship with Bouchard.
Rumors of an anti-Sharapova contingent among players has been publicized in recent weeks. Some have been vocal critics of the world No.1, who recently returned from a 15-month doping ban. Halep however, refuses to get caught up in the limelight.
“She’s back. I’m not thinking that much, because many players are difficult at this level of tennis, the highest level of tennis.” She said. “For me it’s the same if Maria is here, if Maria is not here. I don’t feel extra motivated.”
Halep had recently stated her opposition to Sharapova’s wildcard into the Stuttgart Open following her suspension.
