Simona Halep lived up to her title as top seed with an emphatic 6-3, 6-2, win over rising star Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The world No.1 never looked to be in danger against her Japanese opponent, who is known for her fast serves and heavy shot-making. Halep’s defensive play and footwork proved instrumental in her victory as she showed no signs of being bothered by her ongoing ankle injury. In contrast 20-year-old Osaka displayed glimmers of her best tennis, but they failed to materialize due to her inconsistency.
“I knew that she is hitting the ball very strongly. I just had to move her a lot and I did it pretty well.” Halep said about the tactics she used against Osaka.
“I changed the rhythm. Sometimes I hit (the ball) stronger, sometimes I hit softer.”
During the 69-minute clash on the Margaret Court Arena, Halep clinched the opening set with the help of back-to-back breaks towards the business end. Sealing it on her second set point with the help of an Osaka backhand drifting out.
Initially the top seed faced a tougher task at the start of the second after getting broken, before clawing her way back with a four-game winning streak. Osaka’s all or nothing play costed her dearly as she produced 32 unforced errors during the match compared to Halep’s 18. Both players hit 22 winners. Easing towards a place in the last eight for the third time in her career, Halep closed out the proceedings with a clean forehand cross-court winner.
Monday’s triumph is one that comes as a surprise for the Romanian, who admits that she didn’t expect to get this far at the start of the tournament.
“It was a great match.” Halep concluded.
“I’m really happy that I am back into the quarter-finals. I really didn’t expect this at the start of the tournament because of my injury, but today I played well and I’m really proud that I could stay focused.“
The world No.1 is currently dealing with an injury problem, not helped by her epic third round clash with Lauren Davis that lasted more than three-and-a-half hours. This week she will be hoping to end her grand slam drought and win her first major title. In the past, she has had to settle for runner-up twice at the French Open.
“This tournament feels like a marathon for me. This injury is still there. I feel it, but I try to not think about it. Enjoy the moment and give everything.” She commented about her physical state.
Halep will face either Barbora Strycova or Karolina Pliskova in the next round. Another win in the draw would secure the top seed her best ever run at the Australian Open.
