World No.1 Simona Halep says she’s ready to start the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, her first tournament since she won the title at Prague in August.

“I feel comfortable, and I feel all ready to play here. I love this tournament. I love French Open. Hopefully I can play my best and win some matches,” said the Romanian, who reached the final at the Foro Italico in 2017 and 2018, losing to Elina Svitolina on both occasions.

Halep will face either Anastasija Sevastova or Italian wildcard Jasmine Paolini in her opening round match. Her quarter of the draw contains No.8 seed Petra Martic, No.10 seed Elena Rybakina and No.16 seed Donna Vekic while she is in the same half as No.3 seed Sofia Kenin, last year’s finalist Johanna Konta, and Garbine Muguruza.

“I feel good on clay. I always have been, like, secure and happy on the clay.  Now I have, like, four or five months playing only on clay. I’m not used to that, because the previous years we play just a little bit,” said Halep, who is unsure whether her decision to skip the US hardcourt tournaments will prove advantageous or not in her pursuit of a first Rome title.

“Yes and no, because yes, because I had the chance to practice on clay only, and no, because I didn’t have official matches. So both sides I think have advantage if we know how to take it. I’m going to give my best every match I play, and let’s see what’s gonna happen.”