US Open 2019: Simona Halep confident of doing well
Two-time women's singles Grand Slam winner Simona Halep is confident of doing well at the US Open 2019. After losing in the first round at the Flushing Meadows in 2017 and 2018, Halep is determined to change her fortunes. She won the Wimbledon 2019 and is living a dream at the moment. Here's what Halep has said ahead of the US Open.
How has Halep performed at the Flushing Meadows?
Halep hasn't had a strong run at the Flushing Meadows. She fell short against Maria Sharapova in 2017 and Estonia's Kaia Kanepi last year. Halep's best performance at the tournament was in 2015. She reached that semis that year and was beaten by eventual champion Flavia Pennetta. She has never reached a final here, despite achieving the same across the other three Slams.
Halep confident in putting up a strong show
"It's more about entertainment so it's not easy to adjust ... I've made the semis in the past so I'm confident there's a chance to do more," said a determined Halep.
Even now, I'm living the dream, says Halep
The 27-year-old was superb during the Wimbledon 2019 campaign at the All England Club. Halep credited her relaxed approach and said she is living a dream. "It's been like a dream since I left Even now, I'm living the dream. The first six months of this year were more relaxed because I was just trying to improve my game without thinking about the results."
US Open 2019: Halep will face a severe test
The Romanian number four seed has not had the ideal preparation heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. She was forced to retire with a left Achilles injury in the Rogers Cup quarter-finals in Toronto earlier this month. She was beaten by American Madison Keys in the Cincinnati third round. The women's singles pool is unpredictable and there's a lot of quality.
Women's singles: Serena to face Sharapova in first round
Elsewhere, 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams is set to open her US Open 2019 campaign against Maria Sharapova. This is their first meeting since the Australian Open quarter-final of 2016. Serena has been bothered by back issues recently. Meanwhile, Sharapova has played just six matches since January 2019 because of a shoulder injury. Serena leads 19-3 in head-to-head meetings against the Russian.
Blockbuster battle on offer
Key details about the opening matches
2018 women's champion Naomi Osaka will open her campaign against Anna Blinkova of Russia. 15-year-old Coco Gauff, who overcame Venus Williams on her way to reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, will play Russia's Anastasia Potapova. In the men's section, defending champion Novak Djokovic is up against Roberto Carballes Baena. Rafael Nadal will face John Millman, whereas, Roger Federer is up against a qualifier.
