Simona Halep endured a titanic clash against two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka before booking a place into her first US Open semi-final. During the rain-interrupted match, which consisted of 11 breaks of service, the second seed took the roller-coaster encounter 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Halep began proceedings very tentatively as the double Australian Open champion broke her in the first game of the match. The timid start soon went as Halep broke back decisively as she took four consecutive games to open up an 4-1 lead. Despite the one-sided scoreline, Azarenka was still troublesome for the Romanian as she saved five break points in her two service games before being broken in both of them. Halep’s winning game streak finally ended in the following game as Azarenka held her service for the first time in the match. Nevertheless, it was too late for the Belarussian as Halep eases her way to the first set after 43 minutes in the sweltering New York heat. During the opening set Halep fired 12 winners compared to Azarenka’s despondent 4, and took 75% of her first service points.
Going into the match Halep had a losing head-to-head of 0-2 against Azarenka. Her triumph in the first set was the first time she has won a set against the two-time US Open finalist in her career. Azarenka swiftly responded as she broke Halep for the first time in the match to surge to an early 3-0, lead. The second set was a mixed encounter with both players at times showing moments of brilliance. A total of five breaks of service occurred during the middle set, three for Halep and two for Azarenka. With a 5-3 lead Azarenka had the prime opportunity to serve for the set, but faltered as Halep put the set back on service. Despite working hard to break back, Halep was unable to take advantage of Azarenka’s vulnerabilities as she succumbed at 4-5 to allow Azarenka to take the match into a crucial decider.
After a ten-minute break due to the WTA heat rule, Azarenka resumed her on court offensive in the final set. After struggling to hold her first service game, in which she had to save three break points. She produced a stunning drop-shot in the following game to get a break point in her favour. Unlike her higher ranked rival, she was able to take advantage of it as Halep produced an unforced error to give Azarenka a 2-0 lead. Azarenka was unable to capitalise on the vital break as a duo of unforced errors allowed Halep to walk back into the match, to the annoyance of the Belarusian. It was the first time in seven attempts that Halep was able to dismantle the Azarenka serve. There was then another factor that both players had to contend with, the weather. As rain drops began to fall on the court, both players exit the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After the lengthy rain delay, both players appeared rejuvenated as they resumed action on the court with both holding their serves with ease to move the set to 3-3. There was a clear change in Halep’s approach to the match following the rain delay, which was to be more aggressive against Azarenka. The new game plan paid off in the following game when the animated Romanian broke for a 4-3,lead after another epic rally. Once again Halep was pushed hard in the following game, but overcame Azarenka’s resistance to hold her serve and move to a game away from her first US Open Semi-final. Despite Azarenka holding in the next game, it couldn’t prevent Halep from the victory. A stunning cross court forehand gave the second seed a match point before she took the victory due to an Azarenka forehand going wide.
Following her win Halep was greeted with a almighty chant of ‘si-mo-na’ from the crowd during her on court interview. It was clear that the majority of the crowd were clearly here for one person and she was able to deliver in front of her loyal fans on one of the biggest courts in tennis. The match could of been mistaken for the Simona Halep show.
During the match, which lasted two hours and forty-two minutes, Halep produced 40 winners compared to 19 unforced errors. In additional she won 70% of her first serves and converted 6/19 break points.
Halep is the last player to book her place in the last four in Flushing Meadows. It is the first time since 1982 that all four quarter-finals of the women’s draw went to three sets. In the last four she will play 26th seed Flavia Pennetta. It will be the second time that she has played the Italian this year. Their first meeting was in Miami, where Halep took the win in straight sets.
