This content was published 4 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.
Top seed Simona Halep recorded her 11th straight victory when she overcame Dayana Yastremska 7-5 6-4 in the third round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Halep recovered from a slow start, where she found herself 3-0 down, to produce a consistent performance, hitting 24 winners and committing 23 unforced errors as she found a way past the talented Ukrainian. The world No.2 improved her level and a six-game winning streak from 3-3 in the opener ensured she took the first set and established a commanding lead in the second.
The Romanian’s exceptional defensive qualities were tested as Yastremska posed several questions throughout the match but the top seed’s experience shone through. She outpositioned the 20-year-old and withstood her powerful hitting to emerge victorious after 89 minutes.
“Well, it was not easy against her, because you don’t really have the rhythm. She hitted very strong. It’s tough to return her balls. But after I lost the first three games, I had just to focus a little bit better and to stop giving her the ball that she likes. So I tried to change a little bit, to make her move, a little bit up high. I think during the match I found some solutions that were good to win,” said Halep.
Up next for Halep will be Yulia Putintseva, who came back from a set down to upset No.10 seed Elena Rybakina 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2 in a mammoth encounter which lasted two hours 42 minutes.
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