Wimbledon 2019: Simona Halep feels 'mentally stronger' for Serena Williams final
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
| Wimbledon 2019 on the BBC |
|---|
| Venue: All England Club Dates: 1-14 July |
| Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. Full details |
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]."
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We hope you can beat Williams. The entire country would be delighted.
Equal pay?, not a chance. Male tennis players are being absolutely shafted.
Bad enough that despite mens tennis being waaaaay more popular than the womens game they are paid equal prize money whilst spending many many more hours on court even if they won every match in straight sets.
Time to fight back men, this charade has gone on long enough.
However, it's a joke that a Wimbledon semi final is over in just over an hour. These women are top athletes they should be playing 5 sets
We know she is good,but really the sycophantic noise need to stop--please!
"Once again, my enjoyment of the match was reduced by the director repeatedly showing people in the crowd. What on earth is this all about? I know the BBC is all about exclusivity and all the other PC buzzwords, but showing the faces of people in the crowd adds nothing. Good game spoiled."
Most of them are just on their I phones anyway.
It's time the whole lot of them were replaced by others who can be more even handed and realistic, less biased and much less cringe worthy. Many of them are well past their sell by date.
'I'm a woman but normally I WOULD have sympathy with the "why do women get equal pay for playing shorter matches" argument. HOWEVER the men's quarters and semis were equally one sided - did Fed earn his money playing just over an hour against Berrettini?'
Whether he did or not earn his money is besides the point, he still had to play more sets than the woman do.