"That was my best match of the year" - Halep after win over Martic

Simona Halep opened the 2022 BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals in style as the No.24 seed from Romania cruised past Croatia's Petra Martic 6-1, 6-1 to become this year's first semifinalist in Indian Wells.

Former World No.1 Halep, who won the BNP Paribas Open title in 2015, will play No.3 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in an intriguing semifinal. The chance to play agianst Swiatek for the final comes after a crushing win over Martic that had Halep admitting it was her best of the year.

She said:

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"I think probably [that was my] best match of this year. I felt super well. I felt confident. I've been aggressive. Everything I had to do I did, and it was pretty good. Gives me confidence, gives me the boost that I still can play this level. It's been a tough year, as you know. Now coming into this tournament and playing well means a lot. I will take all the positives and I will just build my confidence more and more."

As noted above, up next for Halep is Swiatek who has been one of the best players so far this year. On that, Halep said:

"Tough, tough match [against Swiatek next] because she's playing the best tennis of her life. She's in the best moment. I expect a really tough one. But I'm here in the semifinal, so I will take that. I will just try my best next one."