Simona Halep “killed” by Australian heat in semi-final against Muguruza

Simona Halep confessed that the tough playing conditions felt on the Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open semifinal against Garbine Muguruza was a major obstacle for her and she would have liked to see the organizers do something about it — like closing the roof.

Even though Halep had the chance to close the opening set in the tie-break, the first set ended 7/6 (10-8) for Muguruza. In the second act, Halep managed to battle through Muguruza’s powerful weapons and got the score to 5-3 before dropping 4 games in a row to bow down in front of the Spaniard.

“It was very hot today and I felt it. Killed me after the first set. At the end of it [1st set], the sun was strong. I didn’t like that much to play in this weather. For both of us was tough.” Halep declared at the post-match conference.

Asked about it, Simona would have liked to see the roof activated in order to protect her and Garbine from the heat. “I would love to see the roof closed, but the rules are the rules, so we have to accept.“

A round before the semifinal, Halep said she likes warm temperatures, but the level of degrees went too high even for her. On the day of the match, there were recorded temperatures of even 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).

“I felt it in the legs. I was not used [to the heat]. In the last two weeks we didn’t have that much heat. I felt the sun a little bit too much. It was not hundred percent for me, but it is how it is.” Simona Halep concluded.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36IRyf0