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“I Really Want It” – Simona Halep Ahead of WTA Dubai 2020 Finals

Published 02/21/2020, 7:03 PM EST

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World Number two Simona Halep is through to the finals of Dubai Tennis Championships 2020 after steamrolling over the American Jennifer Brady.

The qualifier Brady earlier dispatched Elina Svitolina and Garbine Muguruza from the Dubai tournament. She was expected to be a tough challenge for Simona, but things were different on Friday. The Romanian ace held her victory 6-2, 6-0 in 62-minutes.

One of the most consistent women on the WTA circuit Simona Halep feels privileged to reach the finals in the UAE. The 2015 Dubai champion, Halep is determined to pick up the title once again in her thriving tennis career.

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“It felt much better than previous matches,” Halep said. “I played really well. Everything went on my side. I felt the ball great. I feel like I played the best match since I came here.”

“It’s always a nice opportunity and privilege to play the last match of the tournament. I play for another trophy, so I’m relaxed. I’m focused. I really want it,” she added.

She played two rollercoaster matches in Dubai, the first was against Ons Jabeur where she saved a match point. And the next one was against Aryna Sabalenka where she bounced back from a set down.

Dubai finals: Simona Halep vs Elena Rybakina

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The two-time Grand Slam champion Halep sets up the championship clash against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who earlier took out the fifth seed Sofia Kenin, second seed Karolina Pliskova and eighth seed Petra Martic on the Emirati court.

“It’s amazing what [Rybakina’s] done already this year. I saw her a little bit during some matches. She has a big serve. I have to pay attention to my return and to be like today, confident, aggressive if there is a chance, just fighting. It’s the best thing to do now,” Halep said.

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They have played each other once in their careers, at Wuhan Open 2019. But unfortunately, in that match, Halep had to retire due to her lower back concerns.

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The Romanian ace previously won a title at Wimbledon 2019, where she committed just three unforced errors in her championship match against Serena Williams.

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Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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