Simona Halep on Serena Williams, Osaka, Pliskova's early exits: 'It’s a shock'

Comfortably qualified in the quarterfinals of Australian Open, Simona Halep reacted to the overwhelming number of surprising results that conducted to the elimination of Serena Williams, world no. 2 Karolina Pliskova, world no.4 Naomi Osaka, world no.5 Elina Svitolina and world no.7 Belinda Bencic.

”I know that at this level everything can happen so that’s why sometimes I’m a little bit stressed. Sometimes I’m relaxed because everything can happen. It’s just a tournament and I’m sure that for you guys, it’s a little bit of shock when the top ten players are losing but it’s life and we cannot be one hundred percent every day.” said Simona Halep after she qualified in the quarterfinals of Australian Open.

Simona Halep easily got past Yulia Putintseva in two sets (6/1 6/4) and she thinks that her game has improved a lot.

"I think I have improved in my serve. Also the return looks pretty good. I go to the net. I have some dropshots included in my game, so it's a big step. I'm happy with my game." Halep said at the post-match conference.

Even if so many top players like Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova and Naomi Osaka have already left the Australian Open, Simona Halep still has many obstacles remaining. Her very next one is Elise Mertens, the Belgian who got past Cici Bellis in three sets.

"We have played many times, so it's enough to know how she's playing and what I have to do against her. I will be ready for the match. And I have to fight. Even if she's playing great, I will be there ready to play.” Halep said about Mertens.

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