Prague Open: Simona Halep starts with a win

World No.2 Simona Halep staved off a stiff competition from the local favorite Polona Hercog by overcoming in three-set thriller 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (7-3). The match went to the wire and it required a tie-breaker in the final set to decide the winner. The first two sets were won comfortably by Halep and Polona, respectively.

However, the third set went neck-and-neck until Simona showed her class in the tie-breaker. It was not a clinical performance from the No.1 seeded Romanian, nevertheless, she moved into the Round of 16 after a 2.5-hour marathon match. By winning the First Round match, Simona has returned on the court on a positive note.

Simona started the match on a strong note by winning the first set 6-1. She didn’t look rusty at all playing after almost 5 months. She hit 10 winners in comparison to 2 winners hit by Polona.

Hercog bounced back

After getting drubbed in the first set, Polona Hercog surprised the Romanian and won 6 consecutive games to bag the second set 6-1. She had 14 winners in comparison to 7 hit by Simona. It was a great comeback by Polona after being one set down. The match went into the third set with winners’ take all situation.

In the decider though, Simona Halep showed her class and converted her seventh match point to take the set 7-6 (7-3 in tiebreaker) and the match and marched into the pre-quarterfinals. Nevertheless, the 46-ranked Slovenian made Simona sweat for every point and was almost able to pull off a huge upset.

In the next round, the No.1 seed will face local player B. Krejcikova for a spot in the last-eight. Simona would like to dish out a more clinical performance against her lower-ranked opponent.

By looking at today’s match and how it was nearly an upset, tennis fans should get ready for more to follow in the coming week in the Prague Open.