By Erik Gudris | Monday, September 5, 2016
Simona Halep recovered just in time in the second set against Carla Suarez Navarro to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
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No. 5 seed Simona Halep finds herself back in the US Open quarterfinals. Yet the Romanian star had to recover from some late second set drama after being in control for most of her fourth round match.
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Halep faced off against good friend No. 11 seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. Though they were tied at 5-all in their overall head to head, Halep had won all previous hard court meetings.
Both women started the first set by each hitting winners from all sides of the court. Halep, with several forehand winners, jumped out to 4-0 lead.
Suarez Navarro, though known for her trademark one-handed backhand, struck several forehand winners of her own to keep up with Halep. Though Suarez Navarro closed the gap on the scoreboard, her aggressive game plan didn’t pay off in the set.
Halep, after hitting her second ace, converted on set point for 6-2 after another Suarez Navarro sent a forehand wide.
Halep enjoyed earning another service break in the second set. Halep whipped a huge crosscourt forehand winner to give herself a 2-1 advantage. But, Suarez Navarro kept herself in the set by breaking Halep soon after and then getting ahead herself 3-2.
That seemed to annoy Halep who began showing more frustration on court midway through the set. Halep managed to get back on level terms and then broke back for 4-3.
Drama ensued when Suarez Navarro asked the chair umpire if she could take an emergency bathroom break. The umpire denied the request and Suarez Navarro promptly dropped the next game.
Suarez Navarro, did take the extended break, but before she served to stay in the match at 5-3. The Spainard came back on court after a near 10 minute delay and held serve soon after.
Halep lost the first point in the next game while serving for the match. Tossing her racquet in anger, Halep went on to drop serve putting the set back even at 5-all. Halep recovered to then break Suarez Navarro again for 6-5.
More frustration ensued for Halep in the final game as she fell behind 0-30 on her serve. Halep bounced back by hitting her fourth ace for 30-all. Halep then hit a quick backhand winner to get to match point. A final backhand pass from Halep secured her the 6-3, 7-5 win.
Halep now returns to the quarterfinals. She will next face the winner of the match between Serena Williams and Yaroslava Shvedova.