Headline acts Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova both illustrated their title credentials by producing straight set wins in their quarter-finals matches at the Shenzhen Open.
Top seed Halep experience little difficulty during her dominant 6-2, 6-2, win over Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka. A player who is currently at a ranking best of 73rd on the WTA rankings. The 57-minute match saw the Romanian hit just 11 winners to five unforced errors. Capitalizing heavily from Sabalenka’s unforced error count of 22.
“I think I was dominating the match.” Said Halep. “I know that she is hitting really strong and really hard, but I was very strong on my legs. I could block every ball and I could open the court. It is not easy to do that when you play a bit-hitting player. I did everything today and I felt that I played great.”
Halep, who is aiming to win her first title as world No.1, started the match in clinical fashion by dismantling her opponent’s serve. Three consecutive times she broke Sabalenka to race to a 4-1 lead. The Belarusian demonstrated glimpses of her talent with some aggressive shot-making, but they were tamed by Halep’s defensive play. Closing the opening set in just under 30 minutes, Halep secured the 6-2 lead with the help of her first ace of the match.
.@Simona_Halep steps forward and makes the pass! #ShenzhenOpen pic.twitter.com/H84mNiMfht
— wta (@WTA) January 4, 2018
Continuing to hit her shots deep towards the baseline, Halep’s pressure proved too much for her opponent. A double fault from Sabalenka secured her the break for a set and 3-2 lead. Firmly in control, the French Open finalist continued to stroll towards the finish line. Capitalising on a double break with the help of another error from her opponent to move to a game away from victory. Which she sealed with the help of another ace.
Awaiting the 26-year-old in the last four will be compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu. Fourth seeded Begu overcame Timea Babos 7-5, 7-5, during her quarter-final match.
“I’m still far (away) from winning the title.” Said the 2015 champion.
“Tomorrow is going to be a tough match. I play against a Romanian girl, so it’s going to be a nice match. I will give everything I have. I will try to win.”
Sharapova through, but eyes improvement
Maria Sharapova was far from perfect during her 6-3, 6-3, win over Zarina Diyas. The former world No.1 dropped serve only once during the match as she hit 24 winners to 22 unforced errors.
Battling through a 51-minute opening set, Sharapova managed to establish her dominance further at 3-3 in the second. A blistering return against the Diyas serve triggered an error from the Kazak player as Sharapova broke to move two games away from the win. Gaining in momentum, the Russian closed out the match by hitting a winning forehand smash at the net.
“I’m glad that I ended up being the winner of the match, but I didn’t play my best tennis.” Sharapova admitted after the match during her on-court interview.
“I have a lot of things to improve on for the next (Match), but that great thing is that I am through and I have another chance to play tomorrow. “
Sharapova, who is seeking a WTA title in China for the second year running, will play either defending champion Kateřina Siniaková or Kristyna Pliskova in the semifinals.
“I feel like I’m having a nice little tour of China; it’s my fourth Chinese city in a few months,” she said. “It’s obviously been a great welcome here. It took many years for me to play this event but I’m really glad that I did.”
Sharapova and Halep could face off against each other if they both reach the final.
.@MariaSharapova takes a victory selfie after winning her Shenzhen Open quarterfinal in straight sets pic.twitter.com/GbiNGrq6Ls
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) 4 January 2018
