Halep pairs up with Ruse to win first match since getting married

Simona Halep last played at the US Open where she put forward a solid effort but ultimately lost against a player that was in sharper form. Halep has been picking up form slowly ever since returning from an injury that has left her sidelined for the majority of the summer. Today in Indian Wells she played her first match since the US Open and since also getting married a few weeks ago.

Teaming up with Ruse the Romanian duo put forward a great effort to take down 7th seeds Jurak and Klepac in two sets. It was a well-played match by both doubles pairing but the Romanians were simply a bit sharper. From the start, you could see that Ruse and Halep did not lack any motivation as they took an early lead. The 7th seeds battled back but ultimately lost the opening set with 7-5.

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It was a very close set that could have gotten either way but Halep and Ruse used 2 out of 4 break points they had while their opponents used only 1 and that was the difference. The 2nd set was played a bit better by Halep and Ruse as they once again proved more clinical when it mattered the most. They took a lead which failed to hold having to play the tiebreak. In it they proved better edging it out with 9-7.

A great start for Halep who got to spend some time on the courts ahead of her singles return. The conditions suit her game well and she could be a possible dark horse candidate for a deep run.