Halep, Muguruza enter French Open semis

TIL Desk Sports/ World No.1 Simona Halep and 2016 winner Garbine Muguruza won in different manners over Germany’s Angelique Kerber and Russia’s Maria Sharapova respectively to set up their semi-final clash at the French Open on Wednesday. Halep, in chase of her maiden Grand Slam title, came back from one set down to edge Kerber 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2, while Spanish third seed crushed Shaparova 6-2, 6-1.

Romanian Halep led 5-4 in their previous head-to-head matches, including her 2018 Australian Open semifinal victory after two hours and 20 minutes. Kerber, who had already matched her best record in Paris with a quarter-final appearance, heated up quicker with four straight games in hand.

Although Halep forced a tiebreaker, she let the first set slide away after losing the tiebreaker 7-2. Halep then regrouped herself to triumph in the second set 6-3. Kerber called for medical treatment three games into the third set, before she conceded a break, and never appeared to threaten Halep’s position.

Muguruza conceded just three games to race past Sharapova in one hour and 10 minutes. “Being aggressive is a part of my game. When you’re facing somebody that also has an aggressive style of game, it’s about who takes the command, who takes the first opportunity,” said Muguruza.