Simona Halep enter this week’s BNP Paribas Masters with the hope that she can reproduce the form which took her to the title in California last year.
Since her run to the semifinal of the Sydney International in January, the former French Open runner-up has suffered a trio of first match losses in Melbourne, Doha and Dubai. The disappointing run currently places the Romanian 81st on the road to Singapore. Only the top eight will qualify for the extravagant year-end championships, a tournament that Halep has played in the past two years.
In desperate need of a surge in her form, Halep has recently spent time with former players Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Together Agassi and Graf have won 30 Grand Slam titles (eight for Agassi and 22 for Graf). Like Halep, the married couple have also triumphed in Indian Wells. During a recent interview in Indian Wells, the world No.5 spoke about the help she received from Graf and Agassi.
“When it’s coming from a player who played and had these emotions before, it’s something different,” The 2015 champion said.
“Actually, my coach Darren told me many things that Andre told me. So it’s the same but in a different way”.
“They told me many things about how to handle the pressure, how to manage the emotions when you go to a tournament and you have to defend a title. Actually, they told me that it’s a good thing that I have to defend the title because I take it [as a] positive and I relaxed myself there, and I play better now, more motivated and with big determination.”
Halep’s hope for a second consecutive title in Indian Wells will be a tall order. In her quarter she faces a potential third round match against Australian Open semifinalist Ekaterina Makarova, who defeated Halep in the 2015 Australian Open. Further on she could encounter a fourth round meeting with Venus Williams followed by a last eight showdown with world No.1 Serena Williams.
The task for Halep is a tough one but not an impossible one providing she can restore the form which she displayed at numerous times throughout 2015. She seems mentally ready for the challenge, putting behind her injury troubles from the start of the year. The Romanian is confident that she is in good shape for her title defense.
“I have great memories from last year, but as you know I didn’t have a good period [this year but] I’m ok now. I feel ready. I’ve had almost four weeks training hard every day, so I feel happy that I’m healthy again and that I can play.” The 24-year-old said.
The defending champion will begin her title defense on Friday against world No. 202 Vania King. The Romanian doesn’t just have the title at stake, she also has 1000 points to defend. Another early loss could prove fatal to her position in the world’s top five. Indian Wells could prove to be a decisive tournament for Halep’s entire 2016 season.
