Simona Halep overcame the fierce game of host accepting wildcard Jasmine Paolini and won 6-3 6-4 in her opener at the Italian Open, Rome.
Paolini, who met the top 10 player for the second time in his career, hit the ball convincingly and got an early break before the 2019 Wimbledon champions turned things around in a match that lasted 1 hour 24 minutes.
For the Romanian national, the victory this time was a continuation of an impressive performance that led him to win the last two tournaments he played, namely in Dubai and Prague, so that with a victory over Paolini, he recorded 16-2 this season.
“I felt quite tight at the start of the match. In fact, it’s quite difficult to get into a rhythm and feel relaxed. But the first match of a tournament was always fierce and he played really well, “explained Simona Halep.
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“Her forehand is quite strong, as well as her backhand. It’s quite difficult to figure out what to do because we’ve never played against each other. But I’m happy I can win the game. It’s one of the very tight matches. “
All thoughts that crossed the world number 2’s mind that she would have a smooth match against a player who easily knocked out Anastasija Sevastova in the first half faded immediately after the 24-year-old home player heated up with a powerful and accurate forehand. The tensions that the home side might have felt nowhere in sight after she broke the world number 2 fairly quickly.
The 2018 French Open champion didn’t get off to a bad start but it took him a little time to get his legs back in the habit. Although Paolini hits the ball smoothly, he is under increasing pressure after he commits a double foul.
After that, Halep was able to increase the level of the game and turn things around thanks to the brutal attacks he launched on the serve of both opponents.
The second set proved to be a more complicated match for the player who was runner-up twice at the Italian Open, including when opponents forced five deuces in the opening game of the second set.
But with the myriad of experiences he has gained in the tennis world for quite a long time, Halep only needs one match point chance to seal victory.
“I feel when I need it and I play really well. So mentally, I’m very strong. Then I didn’t give up at all. And I also don’t get annoyed easily on the pitch and I’m trying to improve it, “said Halep.
For a place in the Italian Open quarter-finals, Halep will challenge Ukrainian national Dayana Yastremska, who won 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 over US tennis player Amanda Anisimova.
