The cat has been out of the bag for a few years now: Simona Halep is a wizard when it comes to footwork, shot selection and clean, purposeful ball-striking. We’ve known that for a while and yet that fact couldn’t keep us for getting giddy about this particular backhand that Halep struck during the second set of her victory over Yanina Wickmayer on Day 7.
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In six seconds we get to see Halep’s pitter-patter footwork in all its glory, then we get to witness why the Romanian is quite possibly the best counter puncher in the women’s game.
Six seconds. That's all it took.
Just look what she does with Wickmayer’s well-struck forehand. Everything about Halep’s play on this ball is beautiful to look at: the side steps, the first giant crossover step when she realizes where Wickmayer has gone with the shot and, finally, the plant of the left foot and the crouch that she balls herself into before taking her backhand up the line for a winner.
That is, simply put, just amazing.
Here’s the YouTube if you crave a longer version. Enjoy!