Serena Williams eased her way to a showdown with defending champion Simona Halep after dismissing qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2, at the BNP Paribas Open.
In comparison to her roller coaster opening match at the tournament, Williams was always in control of proceedings against Bondarenko, a former top-30 player back in 2009. Aided with seven aces and 22 winners, the 34-year-old broke her opponent six times in the match (three times in each set) to seal the win after 72 minutes of play.
The straight sets win has rewarded Williams a meeting against Simona Halep in the quarterfinals. The Romanian progressed to the last eight after her opponent, Barbora Strycova, retired at the start of the second set due to illness. It is the first time that the world No.5 have won three consecutive matches in a tournament since her run to the semifinals of the US Open last year. Despite Halep’s recent dip in form, Williams has praised her game style.
“I really like her game,” said Williams about Halep. “I like how she’s aggressive. She’s a fighter. I definitely have to be ready.
“It’ll be a really good match I think for both of us to kind of see where we want to be at at this point in the year.”
Williams has only lost to Halep once in their seven previous matches (2014 WTA Finals). Not counting this week’s tournament, Williams has played one WTA tournament won six matches so far in 2016. In comparison, Halep has played four tournaments, but has only won two matches (both in Sydney). Despite the recent results suggesting that the 34-year-old is the clear favorite, Williams is aware of the dangers she faces against Halep.
“I expect a tough one, of course,” said Halep about Williams.
“She’s very strong. I know her pretty well. We played each other many times.”
Halep, who recently spent time with former tennis legends Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, believes that she will have a chance against Williams.
“I know that it’s gonna be tough to win, but still, I have my chance,” added Halep. “I believe that I have my chance, and I just have to go to play my best, to try everything to win.”
The quarterfinal match between Williams and Halep will get underway on Wednesday at 19:00 (PDT).
