A busy day at Wimbledon Championships is done and dusted for women's tennis. The singles contest picked its eight players that will feature in the next stage. Simona Halep, the second seed, and the current world no. 2 is among the winners as she got past Victoria Azarenka at the end of a straight set win. Azarenka was on the verge of building something special at her comeback at Wimbledon, but Halep turned out to be the one with a winning strategy. In the next phase, 2017 French Open runner-up will play Johanna Konta in what will be a high-stakes battle as the Romanian will play again with the no.
1 card on the table. As Kerber went out earlier today, Halep must reach at least the semis to capture the highest seat in women's ranking.
Azarenka had the initiative but was unable to keep her game sharp
What makes or breaks a top tennis player is a certain amount of consistency that has to be delivered during a high-profile encounter. Today, Azarenka seemed to be the dominant player in the field, but Halep kept a close distance only to strike when it mattered the most. The opening set saw Azarenka getting in front with a break. Halep bounced back then it was all about Azarenka again. Still, the Romanian managed to serve to stay in the set twice at 4-5 and 5-6. The tie-break marked Halep's assault as Azarenka fortress started to crumble.
Leading by a set, Halep started to increase her level of aggressiveness stepping into the court more often. In a short time, she was 5-0 in the second act and the effort Azarenka desperately delivered wasn't enough to hold off the second seed.Overall, for Azarenka, it's not all bad business. Judging by the lack of official matches, her run at Wimbledon can be labeled as above the average value.
It's going to be interesting to watch her performing during the upcoming North American hardcourt session. US Open is just two months ahead and the former world no. One will be in the favorites' box.
Halep will play Johanna Konta again
Since the early stages of 2017 spring, Simona Halep went through a lot. A solid clay court season, a final at the French Open put her on top of the list.
Now, she will face Johanna Konta for a place in the semis and access to the highest summit of the WTA Tour. If she gets past Konta, she is set to be the new world no. 1 regardless of the future outcomes at Wimbledon. A few months ago, also in the quarterfinals stages, but in Miami, she had an outburst during an on-court coaching session with Darren Cahill. She had jus lost the second set of that match to Konta. She went on losing that match mostly due to the lack of motivation her attitude. That seemed to be the tipping point of the season for Halep who made major changes to her behavior since.
