Halep Blows Past Wozniacki to Reach Dubai Finals

February 20, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Simona Halep stormed back from a set down to upend third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday to advance to the Dubai Duty Free Championships title match.

The top-seeded Halep dropped the opening set to Wozniacki in 30 minutes and could get nothing going on the Dane’s serve early on. She jumped out a 4-0 lead in the second set, though, and never looked back from there, reeling off 12 of the match’s final 14 games.

“When I started the match I started with bad tactics—I was just hitting every ball and I made too many mistakes. I couldn’t find my rhythm,” said Halep. “In the second set I knew I had to change it and just play with good length and open the court more. I knew I couldn’t force it too much like I did in the first set. That worked very well for me and I just kept doing it until the end.”

Halep won six games on Wozniacki’s serve in the final two sets and was the much more energetic player as the contest unfolded. Wozniacki’s health could have been a factor as she has been dealing with a bad cold since arriving in Dubai.

“I definitely think it’s taken a toll on me, but I’m still pretty pleased with my week considering everything that has been going on,” said Wozniacki, who won this tournament back in 2011. “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough today. It was like the air of the ball just kind of went out.”

Halep will meet Czech Karolina Pliskova in the final showdown. Pliskova has continued her excellent start to 2015 in Dubai and defeated Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in just under three hours.

The match was dictated by strong serves from each player which means whoever is able to get that elusive break point most likely comes out on top. Pliskova was the one to get that break in the third set while even at 5-5, and fought off three break point chances on her service game to close out Muguruza.

“I feel amazing. I really didn’t expect to get to the final here,” said Pliskova. “We both have great serves, so it’s always going to be tough to break, even if you have 0-30 or 0-40, it doesn’t mean anything until you get that final point. I put everything into my serve to get that final game.”

Pliskova will be playing in her second final of the year, having reached Sydney final before falling to third-ranked Petra Kvitova.

Halep and Pliskova have never faced off against each other, and Halep knows she will have to deal with the Czech’s lethal serve.

“To be honest, I don’t like to play girls who are serving so strong, but I have a good return, I think,” said Halep. “But tomorrow won’t just be about the serve. It’s everything. She hits the ball very strong. I have to be focused, stay close to the line, and play smart but also aggressive. If I fight I can win. I believe in my chances and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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