Title contender Simona Halep has sent out a warning to her rivals with a clinical 6-1, 6-1, win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in the fourth round of the French Open.
Facing the 21st seed, Halep knew of the threat she faced. Since 2010, she had already lost to the Spaniard five times on the clay. Yet, this time round it was different. Halep had the greater belief and more crucially the better game. Throughout the 60-minute encounter, she hit a total of 19 winners compared to Suarez Navarro’s five. It is the fourth consecutive match that Halep has won in straight sets at Roland Garros.
“I think I have played my best match here this year.” Halep said following her latest win.
“I expected a very tough one, she (Suarez Navarro) is a very good player on clay court. I think I played very well. I just pushed her back and I tried to be aggressive. I did it well.”
An emphatic start to the match saw the third seed race to a 5-0 lead. Halep’s sole threat occurred at the start when she saved two break points in her opening service game before dominating proceedings. Engaged in some lengthy baseline rallies, the Romanian capitalized on her angle shots and fierce defensive play. A forehand cross-court winner guided Halep to her first set point before she sealed the 6-1 lead with a backhand passing shot that Suarez Navarro failed to return.
Halep continued her one-way show into set No.2 with an early break against her faltering opponent. Even when Suarez Navarro retrieved one of the breaks, she failed to generate any momentum to tame Halep. With the unforced errors mounting from the Spaniard, the world No.4 closed in on the victory with little difficulty. A delicate drop-shot on the stroke of the 60-minute mark elevated Halep to her first match point. Then, on the first time asking she won the match after a Suarez Navarro forehand slammed into the net.
Relishing in her impressive display at Roland Garros, Halep said she was inspired by Court Phillipe Chatrier, the venue where she played her first and so far only grand slam final.
“I was extra motivated today because I really enjoy (playing) on this court.” She explained.
Awaiting Halep in the last eight will be either Elina Svitolina, who she lost to in this year’s Rome final, or Croatian qualifier Petra Martic. Regardless of who she played next, the 25-year-old admits that her confidence is surging.
“I feel good, I feel confident as well. I started this tournament pretty well and day-by-day I have played better. This is the most important thing.” She said.
The upcoming encounter will be the eighth time Halep has played in the quarter-finals of a grand slam event.
