Simona Halep news: No coach, no worries for former champion as she enjoys ‘freedom’ in Dubai
A coach-less Simona Halep kicked off her Dubai Tennis Championship campaign with a confident victory over Alison Riske, stating that she did “everything she had to do”.
The former world No 1, who won WTA 500 event in 2015 and 2020, brushed aside Riske 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 11 minutes, breaking twice in the opening set and once in the second set.
The Romanian’s victory was set up by a strong serve as she landed 77% of her first serves and converted 80% of those serves into points.
Never count her out of a rally 👣👣👣@Simona_Halep | #DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/HJgISicv38
— wta (@WTA) February 14, 2022
“It’s special to play here, I have great memories from winning this tournament twice,” she said after the match. “I’m really happy to be fit and play some good tennis.”
Halep added: “I felt pretty confident with my serve today, it helped me a lot in important moments. I think the big picture was really good for the first match here. [Riske] is always a tough opponent but I knew how I needed to play and I was focused, I did everything I had to do, and I’m happy to go through.”
The two-time Grand Slam winner is enjoying a lot of “freedom” as she is currently without a coach after opting to go it alone following her fourth-round exit from the Australian Open.
Halep, who has dropped to No 23 in the WTA Rankings, will face either third seed Paula Badosa or fellow Romanian Elena Gabriela Ruse in the second round.
“Well, it’s only the first match, so we’ll see in the future,” she said. “But I can say I enjoy the freedom and I’m looking forward just to focus on my job.”
Another former champion in Petra Kvitova also advanced as the 2013 Dubai winner brushed aside Italy’s Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-0, but she could face stiff competition in the second round as she awaits the winner of the clash between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and qualifier Marta Kostyuk.
Second seed Barbora Krejcikova advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) win over Caroline Garcia while sixth seed Iga Swiatek secured a 6-1, 6-2 win over Russian Daria Kasatkina.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic announces shock departure of long-term coach – ‘Thanks for everything my friend’
Did anyone see that Novak Djokovic coaching bombshell coming?