Simona Halep has fired a warning that she won’t let another Australian Open title opportunity slip with a thumping win over Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit to book a semi-final berth.
Fourth seed Halep needed just 53 minutes to oust Kontaveit 6-1 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena in a flawless display on Wednesday.
Coached by Australian Darren Cahill, Halep is eager for another crack at the Melbourne Park title after losing the 2018 decider to Caroline Wozniacki in a three-set heart-breaker
The Romanian said while that result hurt at the time, she believed it set her up to another two grand slam titles – the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon last year.
“That match was not negative at all,” the 28-year-old said.
“It hurt a lot because I lost 6-4 in the third – I couldn’t finish the match – maybe I was too nervous at that moment but now I have more experience.
“That match helped me to win the two grand slams I have already and maybe it is the way to go to the third, but it is still very far away.
“I just want to give everything I have in the next match and why not, maybe I can repeat again.”
Near Perfect 👏@Simona_Halep remains undefeated against Kontaveit as she dominates 6-1 6-1 in a speedy 53 minutes to reach her second final four in Melbourne.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/vyoQgO2IUq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2020
Cahill rejoined Halep after taking last year off to spend more time with his family and the pair changed up her off-season training, with the results evident on court.
Kontaveit didn’t play that badly – only making 15 unforced errors – but Halep hunted down every ball and sent it back with interest.
She said she was feeling stronger than ever.
“I played my best game on court, I felt strong in my game, strong in my legs,” said the world No.3.
“I worked a little bit more in the off-season – for the first time in my life I did the off-season away from home so I could be focused on what I have to do every day, no days off.
“That meant a lot for me and this year, I started very well and I am feeling much stronger than before.”
Halep said she enjoyed have Cahill back in her box, and is made it feel like she was playing the Open in her second home.
“He has been very important since I met him four or five years ago,” she said.
“We worked hard on my attitude, on my game and today I am a better person the first of all, and then a better player so I really want to thank him.
“Here in Australia, I can say it is my second home because I feel part of this community because I have the coach from Australia, so thank you, everyone.”
Halep plays the winner of Wednesday’s second quarter-final between Spaniard Garbine Muguruza and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
-AAP
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