Halep reaches Australian Open quarters

IANS

Melbourne, Jan 22: Romanian Simona Halep, seeded No.1, on Monday reached the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time in three years, edging out Naomi Osaka of Japan 6-3, 6-2.

It seemed like Halep overcame an ankle injury she sustained during her first-round win, as she needed one hour and 19 minutes to get rid of Osaka in Melbourne's fourth round, reports Efe.

"I played pretty good and I'm happy that I am back in the quarter-finals here," Halep said. "I did not expect that at the start of the tournament because of my injury."

Halep had to battle her way past the United States Lauren Davis in almost four hours after saving three match points in the previous round.

"This tournament is turning into a marathon for me, but happily I am still here," Halep added.

Halep won 71 percent of the break points she created compared to the 20-year-old Osaka's 13.

The World No.1 is set to square off against either Barbora Strycova or Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the race to the semi-finals.

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Update: 22-January-2018