WTA Dubai: Simona Halep wins entertainment thriller against Ons Jabeur
Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has entered the quarter-finals at the WTA Premier tournament in Dubai. The world number two won in an entertaining match against Tunisian Ons Jabeur with 1: 6, 6: 2 and 7: 6 (7).
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 19, 2020, 09:27 pm
Halep had to fight a lot and even fended off a match ball in the end. After the second round, she was also treated on the lower back, but was able to continue playing. Against an enthusiastic backdrop, Jabeur offered the favorite great resistance; even though Halep looked fitter towards the end, Jabeur didn't let up - but Halep also had a few chances.
Halep was 4: 1 in the third set, but Jabeur equalized and ended up breaking 6: 5. But that brought Halep back to zero. In the tie-break, Jabeur then fended off three Halep match balls in a row at 3: 6 and came 7: 6 himself, but then put a simple forehand into the net, followed by three more forehand errors.
Halep on Jabeur: "So hard to read your game"
Halep was relieved afterwards. "It was like a football or Fed Cup game," said Halep afterwards, referring to the good mood in the audience. "I didn't understand what was going on. There was so much energy there, so we had to do our best. I think it was a great match."
Halep also had a lot of praise for opponent Jabeur. "It's so hard to read her game because it doesn't give you a rhythm. She can unbelievably punch, then she hits a few balls too easily. But she improves a lot. I think she can do better. "
Jabeur had already caused a stir at the Australian Open when she beat Johanna Konta, Caroline Wozniacki and Qiang Wang, among others, and entered the quarter-finals.
Dubai: Pliskova also continues
Halep now faces Aryna Sabalenka, who has placed seven, in the last eight.
Karolina Pliskova had previously reached the number two of the tournament in the quarter-finals. She easily won against Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 and 6-2. Also further: Australian Open finalist and Kim Clijsters conqueror Garbine Muguruza (7: 5, 4: 6, 6: 4 against Veronika Kudermetova), Petra Martic (6: 3, 6: 3 against Barbora Strycova) and Elena Rybakina (6: 3, 6: 3 against Katerina Siniakova).