After enduring two months of finishing second best, Simona Halep is eager to go one step further at the upcoming US Open.
In June the Romanian reached her second major final at the French Open, but was denied the title by Jelena Ostapenko. In that same match, she also missed out on the world No.1 ranking. Then at the Wimbledon championships, she went out in the quarter-finals to Johanna Konta. Once again missing out on the top ranking, which was claimed by Karolina Pliskova.
Halep’s attention is now on Flushing Meadows, where she will be bidding to end her grand slam title drought. The start of her US Open preparations begin this week at the Citi Open in Washington. It will be her tournament debut after missing out on a chance to play at Stanford.
“I chose this tournament because I asked for a wild card to Stanford and Washington. Stanford said no, and Washington said yes,” Halep said on Monday. “So I am really happy that I received this wild card.”
Regardless of where she is playing, the world No.2 is determined to reach her peak on the North American hard-courts. This season she has already won 32 out of 41 matches contested on the tour, clinching her second consecutive title at the Madrid Open. Halep has also managed to reach the quarter-finals or better in her last seven tournaments since March.
“I want to be in my best form at the US Open,” she said. “This tournament is very important. Every match is tough and important for my level.
“I’m focused on what I have to do on the court and what I need to do to get my game strong.”
The pressure is already piling on the 25-year-old. She is the only top 10 player participating in Washington and one out of one two top 30 players featuring (alongside Kristina Mladenovic). Then there is the Rogers Cup in Canada next week where Halep is the defending champion.
Concerns have been raised if her setbacks in recent months has dented Halep’s confidence. A concept she swiftly dismissed on Monday.
“I’m still confident,” the world No.2 stated. “But now it’s a different season. I expect some tough matches. I’m ready. I want some matches.”
So far in her career, Halep’s best showing at the US Open was a run to the semifinals in 2015. Now aiming to go two steps further this year, she believes her results in the tournaments leading into the final slam of the year is crucial.
“Well this tournament is helping me to be in the best form for the U.S. Open. Last year I did really well in the tournament before the U.S. Open and also in the U.S. Open,” explained Halep.
Halep will begin her campaign at the Citi Open against Sloane Stephens.
