Simona Halep into second round after Erakovic retires

Romanian second seed Simona Halep got her bid for a maiden grand slam title underway with a 6-2 3-0 win over ninety-ninth ranked New Zealander Marina Erakovic, who retired with a thigh injury.

Halep came into the US open full of confidence after strong final performances in both Toronto and Cincinnati. Halep’s grand slam results in 2015 had been distinctly underwhelming, losing early at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Erakovic meanwhile arrived at this at Flushing Meadows having failed to win a match in the main draw of any slam this year.

The match immediately went to form, with Halep breaking in the opening service game. Erakovic committed three straight backhand unforced errors to go down love-forty. Halep then converted on her second break point after Erakovic elected not to play a ball close to the baseline when well placed. She challenged unsuccessfully and the break belonged to Halep.

Halep then consolidated the break, playing a particularly clever point during the sixth game, drop-shoting well after dealing with an awkward lob. Halep then secured the double break for 5-2 as more Erakovic errors, this time from the forehand, took their toll. Halep then served out to fifteen, taking the first set in thirty-two minutes when another Erakovic slice drifted long.

Erakovic then called for the trainer before the second set commenced, appearing to receive  treatment for a thigh complaint.

The second set started in almost identical fashion to the first, with three Erakovic backhand errors, one of them a volley, offering up a break point. A wild Erakovic forehand then handed the initiative to Halep.

Halep held, then broke to fifteen in the third game, securing the double break, as her opponent’s injury appeared to significantly hamper her movement.

It was at this point that Erakovic decided to retire.

Halep will now face the winner of Katernya Bondarenko and Yulia Putintseva in the second round.

Halep’s seeded quarter-final opponent, sixth seed Lucie Safarova, was a shock casualty beaten by Lesia Tsurenko 6-4, 6-1.  Halep could still face potential challenges from the likes of Sabine Lisicki and Alize Cornet in the third and fourth rounds respectively.

Johanna Konta of Great Britain was another early winner on day 2, defeating Louisa Chirico 6-3, 6-0.