America’s Sloane Stephens has moved through to the quarterfinals after defeating Romania’s Simona Halep.
Stephens burst out of the blocks with a flurry of aces and power strokes, taking the opening game in style and setting the tone for the match.
World No.45 Halep found her rhythm in the later stages of the first set and levelling the score at 4-4. After a brief consultation with her coach, Stephens returned to the court with renewed vigour and out powered Halep with killer down the line forehands and explosive first serves to take the first set 6-4.
“I was getting frustrated with myself and [my coach] said calm down, just hit your balls. I had a pretty good attitude so it was good,” Stephens said post-match.
The young American dominated the second set, wiping her opponent off the court 6-0.
“I’m really pleased with the way I played and my fitness is good so I’m happy with that,” she said.
Stephens has had a successful start to 2013 advancing to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International where she was defeated by Serena Williams.
Post match Williams stated that Stephens could be the best player in the world one day. The 19-year-old is currently the youngest woman in the WTA top 40.
This year she will be seeded at the Australian Open for the first time.
“I’m excited and it’s the first time so it’s good,” she added.
On Thursday Sloane will face fellow countrywoman Lauren Davis in the quarterfinals.
“It will be a rematch of our 18s hard court championship match. I’m excited to play her; we’ve never played in an actual tournament. It should be good.”
By Rosie Jones