Italian Open champion, Simona Halep, enacted revenge on teenage American Amanda Anisimova, who defeated her last year to send a message to fellow title contenders.
Halep assumed her status as the Roland-Garros betting favourite with ease as she dispatches 19-year-old American Amanda Anisimova in two quick successive sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Anisimova, a surprise semi-finalist last year, was ushered out of the draw in 54 minutes before she had a chance to dial in her best tennis.
Halep’s triumph sets a fourth-round clash with Poland’s Iga Swiatek next.
Related: French Open 2020: Novak Djokovic secures 70th win to tie Roger Federer’s record
Watch the match highlights below
“I think I played really well. I have learned so many things from last year and I wanted to show myself I am able to win a match against her,” Halep says after the match.
“Even if the ball was really heavy I played very aggressively. I think last year I stood too far back on the return but today I did well and the I think the plan was great for today.”
Anisimova, however, dwelled on the positives saying it wasn’t just her day and that she just wanted to put the defeat behind her and look forward to next season.
“It’s been one of the worst matches I have played in a while,” she says. “I was just making mistakes all over the place. You know, it’s a great experience and I’ll definitely learn from it.”
“I like playing on slow surfaces,” she adds. “I enjoy playing here, so I don’t really know. I just really couldn’t get into my own game today, and that was my biggest issue. It’s really disappointing, but I’m motivated to go back and practice, and I’m looking forward to next year.”
Kiki Bertens overcame Katerina Siniakova in straight sets
Kiki Bertens’ last time out on court ended with her being escorted off the court in a wheelchair after she played tennis for 3 hours and 11 minutes to dispatch Sara Errani in a straining slugfest. She, however, got cramps on her left leg, right foot, and both hands after the encounter.
Bertens returned to play on Friday and overcame Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-2 in just 58 minutes.
“I’m really happy that today, it was much shorter than the other one,” the fifth seed says. “I’m still recovering a bit but I think today was a great level.”
Iga Swiatek continues to bubble in France
Iga Swiatek took on Simona Halep and lost 6-1, 6-0 in the fourth round of the French Open in 2019 before the Romanian was sent out surprisingly by teenager Amanda Anisimova.
In this year’s event, Swiatek and Halep will face off again in the round of 16, after Halep got her revenge against Anisimova in a 6-0, 6-1 win.
Hopefully, Iga Swiatek can also get one over the Romanian powerhouse.
“Right now I feel more experienced,” Swiatek says. “I know that it’s going to be different.”
Swiatek defeated a resurgent Eugenie Bouchard 6-3, 6-2 on Friday, and has surrendered a mere 13 games in three matches.
simona halep is a beat. still sad about serena’s withdrawal though