Top seed Simona Halep avoided a shock exit at the BNP Paribas Open by fighting her way past world No.165 Caroline Dolehide 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, in the third round.
The world No.1 was caught off guard by her opponent, who was playing a top 20 player for the first time in her career. Dropping the opening set, Halep broke twice in the second but failed to consolidate the advantage both times. Eventually prevailing in the tiebreaker before closing the match out. The Romanian struggled with her second serve throughout, winning just 43% of the points.
“She’s playing really, really well. And I never played against her, so I didn’t know how the ball is coming.” Said Halep.
“Was pretty tough in the first set. I played too flat and too fast. So then I just tried to miss less and also to make her move a little bit, to roll the ball better. In the end, I think I was stronger on the legs.”
“I’m really, really happy about this victory.” She added.
There will be room for improvement for Halep ahead of her next match. Against the 19-year-old, she produced 17 winners to 30 unforced errors and converted five out of her 12 break point opportunities. In comparison Dolehide hit 33 winners to 47 unforced errors.
In the next round Halep will take on China’s Quang Wang. A 26-year-old player that reached a ranking high of 44 earlier this year. She secured her place in the last 16 by thrashing Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-2.
“I practised with her a few days ago here. She’s a tough opponent. She’s playing well.” Halep said about her upcoming opponent. “I expect a really tough one. Different than today, obviously, but, you know, I’m ready. I feel okay. So I will do everything I can just to win the match.”
Stephens stops Azarenka
13th seed Sloane Stephens grabbed her first ever win against Victoria Azarenka after defeating the two-time Australian Open champion 6-1, 7-5. Stephens, who lost to Azarenka in their three previous meetings, won 67% of points behind her first serve as she broke six times in the match.
Since lifting the US Open trophy in September, Stephens has only managed to win three matches on the tour. Including her win over Azarenka. Despite her lull in recent months, the 24-year-old is confident that she is going in the right direction.
“I’m feeling a lot better, playing better,” Stephens said following her victory. “I got some matches in Acapulco last week. And to get a win here, it’s not easy having a bye and then playing somebody who has already played a match. Feeling good. Everything’s all good.”
Stephens will next take on Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, who was leading Kateřina Siniaková 6-2, 6-2, before the Czech player retired.
“I Played her on clay in Charleston. I was down a match point. We played actually a pretty good match, so I think it will be interesting. Obviously the courts here suit both of our games pretty well. So I think it will be another good match, and I’m looking forward to it.” She said about playing Kasatkina.
In other matches, Naomi Osaka defeated Sascha Vickery 6-3, 6-3. Becoming the first Japanese player to reach the last 16 of the women’s draw since Ai Sugiyama in 2007. Her next match will be against Greece’s Maria Sakkari, who knocked out Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-4.
