"It's never easy to play against a Romanian" - Halep maintains humility following victory over countrywoman Begu at Roland Garros

WTA
Thursday, 01 October 2020 at 12:40
Halep Simona Madrid2019

Top seed Simona Halep advanced to the third round at Roland Garros, following an easy 6-3 6-4 victory over compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu on Wednesday.

The former World No.1 improved to 13-0 against Romanian players, with eight of them coming against Begu. The duo most recently met at the Prague Open in August, where Halep prevailed in straight sets en route to winning the title.

"It's never easy to play against a Romanian and against Irina, we played so many times it's never easy," Halep said after the match. "She's a very strong opponent and she's also powerful, the serve is really strong. Today the court was heavy so I couldn't return very well, but I managed well in the end and I think I played the right game when I needed to."

"I think the best thing that I do is once I step on the court I don't think, I don't, I'm not thinking any more against who I am playing, even if it's Romanian or not," Halep added.

"It's a little bit of stress before the match, but I am confident, I know what I can play, I know how I can play, so I didn't feel too nervous. I just feel nervous at the beginning, but then I just forget about who I play and I just try to win the match."

The 2018 champion will face 25th seed Amanda Anisimova, who defeated fellow American Bernada Pera 6-2 6-0 earlier in the day. Halep will be hoping to avenge her loss to Anisimova, as the 19-year old ended the Romanian's title defense in Paris last year.

"It's one year between, so it's going to be a little bit tough to explain now how it's going to be," Halep disclosed. "But I'm going to talk with the coach, I know it's going to be tough because she's hitting the ball strong and flat, so it's going to be tough."

"I remember the match from last year, I remember also that I didn't play what I wanted, so I will do some changes and I will just try to play better and to take my chance."

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