MADRID: It is a bit like a love story when it comes to Simona Halep and the Madrid Open.
The reigning French Open champion is one of only four women to have recorded 20 or more wins in the tournament. She is also only the second woman to have won back-to-back Madrid titles after Serena Williams.
On Tuesday Halep continued her love affair in the Spanish capital with a rollercoaster 7-5, 6-1, win over Johanna Konta. Their first tour meeting since 2017. Konta entered the match fresh in confidence after reaching the final of the Marrakech Open on Sunday. Initially, it was that confidence that proved problematic for the former world No.1. Halep initially struggled to break the brick wall defensive play of her opponent as she trailed 2-4.
Despite the setback, a gutsy Halep battled back into contention with the help of some misses from the Brit. With little to separate the two throughout the opener, Halep eventually prevailed on the 60th minute. After missing four set points, she triumphed on her fifth with the help of a Konta backhand drifting wide.
Snatching the lead, Halep’s momentum gained rapidly as her opponent faded away in the second. Winning 15 points in a row to race through the second set in half the time it took her to triumph in the first. Overall, she won 62% of her service points and saved six out of the eight break points she faced.
“I feel good every time when I come to Madrid and I’m happy to be back and winning matches.” Halep said during her press conference. “It’s a special place for me. Many friends are coming. Ilie Nastase was there today, Nadia Comaneci, many others. It’s nice to play in front of them and when you feel like home, you can play better. So that’s why here I can play one of my best games.”
Madrid is the first test for Halep on the clay this season. It is a later than scheduled start due to a hip injury, which she has since recovered from. However, she has fallen victim to illness. A relatable situation Rafael Nadal also finds himself in.
“I have no pain anymore. I had a rest at home.” The Romanian assured. “When I arrived here, I got a cold and I’m not 100 percent. But, as it looks, it doesn’t affect my game that much. Just that recovery is more difficult. ‘
“I’m here to give everything I have and I have no expectations for this week.”
Whilst declaring that she has ‘no expectations,’ the 27-year-old must fancy her chances. Besides her record at the venue, there has been no clear frontrunner on the tour. In fact, five months into 2019 and Petra Kvitova is the only player to have won multiple grand slam titles.
“It’s a good thing for tennis and for the spectators as well,” Halep explains. “It’s more exciting to see many champions. Tennis is open now and everyone has the chance to win and to be there, to be in the top.”
Whilst relishing in the unpredictability of the tour, Halep will be hoping that no surprises occur in her next match. Awaiting her will be Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova. Somebody who reached the doubles finals of the Prague Open on clay and stunned Kiki Bertens earlier this year.
“It’s a big challenge always when I play with someone that I never played before. So I just want to see what I have to do against her. But the main thing is to focus on myself, on my game, and if I feel it, then I have a better chance.” The world No.2 previewed.
Halep will play her third round match on Wednesday.
