Simona Halep (1) broke Garbiñe Muguruza (3) in the opening game of their semi final at Roland Garros 2018.
Muguruza had her own chance, but Halep avoided the break point and held for 2-0.
Unforced errors were flowing off the Muguruza racquet and she was broken again Halep 3-0.
A running forehand passing shot was the highlight of Halep’s fourth successive winning game, sealed with an ace.
Two Halep forehand winners down the line outweighed the one backhand winner from Muguruza and the third seed was broken yet again 5-0 Halep and serving for the set.
Simona failed to hold serve, allowing Garbine to avoid the embarrassment of a 0-6 scoreline, but she lost her serve for the fourth time and the set was Romanian 6-1.
Halep held for 1-0 in set two. Muguruza hit out well and levelled at 1-1.
Muguruza attacked the Halep backhand with success, and created two break points with a forehand winner. The break came with a Halep shot going long and the Spaniard led 2-1.
A backhand winner at the net, followed by a backhand lob winner gave Muguruza two game points. A backhand winner from Halep saved one.
Forehand error from Spain and deuce. A repeat error and break point.
Netted shot from Halep and deuce. Break point again. Saved through Romanian error. Volley winner and service winner 3-1 Muguruza.
An exchange of mistakes before a Halep forehand winner 30-15.
Spanish forehand winner then error and game point for Halep. Service hold after a forehand winner 3-2 Muguruza
Backhand volley winner not enough for Halep as Muguruza served an ace to win the game and lead 4-2.
Halep won the next two games, breaking Muguruza in the process and games were 4-4.
In an unbelievable ninth game several game points were saved and Muguruza had three chances to break Halep’s serve. However it was the top seed who prevailed and then proceeded to break Muguruza to love, winning her way to the final for the second successive year.
6-1 6-4. Losing the last four games will be a huge disappointment for Garbine, but she will need to regroup for the grass season as she has the Wimbledon title to defend.
Halep’s opponent in the final will be either Sloane Stephens (10) or Madison Keys (13)
Halep also has the number one world ranking to herself.
No comments:
Post a Comment