Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Halep feels 'mentally stronger' to take on Williams in final

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Thursday, 11 July 2019 09:04

Simona Halep says she feels "mentally stronger" for the "big challenge" of facing Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final on Saturday.

Halep beat Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3 to reach her maiden final at the All England Club, where she will meet seven-time champion Serena Williams.

The Romanian has won just one of her 10 meetings with American Williams, coming at the WTA Finals in 2014.

"I will believe that I have my chance to win against her," said Halep, 27.

"Of course, I respect a lot what she has done and what she's doing.

"But now I feel stronger mentally facing her. We will see what is going to happen. It's just a big challenge for me."

Seventh seed Halep - whose previous best finish at Wimbledon was reaching the 2014 semi-finals - wrapped up victory over Ukrainian eighth seed Svitolina in one hour 13 minutes.

"It is one of the best moments of my life," she told the BBC.

"I'm really excited but also nervous. I'm just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.

"It was not as easy as the score shows. I fought really hard, [Svitolina] is an amazing player and it's always tough to play against her."

On what has changed since 2014, she said: "I have more experience, I am positive on court and I am not giving up anymore. I have learnt many things in five years."

Halep capitalises on gripping start

Halep and Svitolina, 24, had not met at a Grand Slam since the 2017 French Open but if the first game of their maiden grass meeting was anything to go by, it was going to be a lengthy affair.

Lasting almost 10 minutes, it featured two 23-shot rallies before Svitolina - who had held three break points - conceded the game off her backhand.

Halep converted her third break point to go 2-0 up with the following two games also going against the server.

At 4-1 down, Svitolina lost her serve once more as Halep - who hit 16 winners but also 12 unforced errors in the opener - went on to serve out the set with a forehand down the line on her sixth set point.

If she hadn't already, Halep demonstrated her desire to win in the second set, holding her first three service games to love before going a break up at 4-3.

And she was to finish on a break too, sealing match point on the second time of asking after Svitolina slammed a backhand into the net.

"I didn't take my chances which was disappointing. You want to play well, you want to make a statement that you are there for the fight," said Svitolina.

"Simona played unbelievably today. The score was a little bit of me making poor decisions and her playing unbelievable [tennis]."

Read 520 times

Soccer

PSG fans unveil 'Free Palestine' sign in UCL game

PSG fans unveil 'Free Palestine' sign in UCL game

EmailPrintFans from Paris Saint-Germain's Auteuil Kop unveiled a giant "Free Palestine" banner befor...

Fan's death overshadows Bayern Munich UCL win

Fan's death overshadows Bayern Munich UCL win

EmailPrintBayern Munich are mourning the death of a fan who attended the team's 1-0 win over Benfica...

On and off the pitch, uncertainty is starting to creep up at Arsenal

On and off the pitch, uncertainty is starting to creep up at Arsenal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILAN -- The uncertainty around Arsenal grows. Wednesday's 1-0 defe...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Ja fired up for LeBron, Lakers: 'I don't like them'

Ja fired up for LeBron, Lakers: 'I don't like them'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMemphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had a little extra motivation for...

George booed in L.A. return, calls reaction 'stupid'

George booed in L.A. return, calls reaction 'stupid'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINGLEWOOD, Calif. -- In his first game against the LA Clippers at I...

Baseball

Betts set to return to infield for Dodgers in '25

Betts set to return to infield for Dodgers in '25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN ANTONIO -- Eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts is likely to move b...

Montgomery, D-backs GM met after owner's diss

Montgomery, D-backs GM met after owner's diss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN ANTONIO -- Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated