Simona Halep battles to have a more successful 2020 season

     "To lose like this hurts more...I'm in pain now I have to admit life is going on..." Simona Halep had said after her semifinal loss at the Australian Open to Garbine Muguruza. But the hurt may have been more emotional than physical for Simona Halep. She is a dynamic player, but often lacks the consistency that can destroy her game. "The consistency on the tour is the most important thing and the toughest one," Halep frankly confesses.

     She may have started the new season very well by getting into the semifinals but isn't happy at her gameplay that had cost her a match she should have won. "I had many changes towin this match, but it didn't happen so it means she was better today," the Romanian analyzed matter-of-factly. Garbine Muguruza, a player that has had times of lackluster play and mental lapses defeated Halep in straight sets. She was on top of her game and many of the tennis community had said the former slam champion Conchita Martinez, her coach attributed to that win. Martinez pulled Muguruza out of her slump a few years ago at Wimbledon where she would win the title triumphantly. But Halep has seen times when she was at the top of her game too, but the Romanian's performances can vary dramatically, not only from tournament to tournament but match to match. Halep had said it was difficult to play the Spaniard because there wasn't much rhythm to her game. "She can miss few balls in a row then make unbelievable shots." This may have been one factor why Halep had the loss.

     Last year 2109 wasn't a horrible year for Simona Halep but it wasn't the prettiest. She would win only one title throughout the year - Wimbledon, but in being No. 4 in the world, on paper many would think she'd win more titles than that. It was a great accomplishment winning over opponent Serena Williams whom she hadn't won but a single match in their ten meetings. Injuries were a contributing factor for Halep's downfall and she'd been plagued with a back injury at the beginning of last season. The Romanian did make one semifinal all year and that was the Miami Open where she would bow to the Czech Karolina Pliskova 5-7, 1-6. There were 3 quarterfinal: French, Eastbourne and the Rogers Cup along with 4 second round losses that sprinkled Halep's participation on tour in 2109. She confesses in that forgettable semifinal with the Spaniard that "I was leading the match. I didn't mean I felt pressure it just means I couldn't win...she was very strong with the game..." Halep knows that despite having a good match with Muguruza she could have did much better. Why she didn't play more aggressive could be a factor but she admits that about the Spaniard that in "The important moments she played a little bit more braver." This is what lead to her victory and Halep's loss. She has no regrets and just hope that her strategies wil be on point to continue having success and titles. She laughs and said "It's a good tournament, a semifinal, so I won't do a drama...but it hurts."

     Simona Halep's participation in the Romanian Fed Cup opposing France isn't hurting badly at all. She won her two single rubbers and the one doubles rubber with teammate Monica Niculescu. Things may be looking better for Halep and possibly her season will turn around to be a much more productive one.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37au5Dt