WTA: Will Simona Halep Defeat Errani?

Aug 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Simona Halep (ROU) reacts after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska (not pictured) during the quarter finals at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Aviva Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Can Simona Halep Take Down Sara Errani and Journey to Her Fourth Final of 2015?

What a difference an extended vacation can make.

After a streak of mediocre results throughout the clay and grass court seasons, Simona Halep took a wildcard in this year’s Rogers Cup. The Romanian now looks to have recovered some of her lost form and confidence on the path to a semifinal berth.

Simona Halep’s Journey to the Semifinal

Placed in one of the toughest sections of the draw, alongside defending Rogers Cup champion Agnieszka Radwanska and Stanford champion Angelique Kerber, Halep wasn’t expected to venture deep in the draw. However, that’s exactly what she has done. She will now face Sara Errani for a place in the championship match.

Halep’s journey to the semifinals has essentially been tailor-made for a tussle with the Italian. In her first three rounds, the Romanian defeated Jelena Jankovic, Kerber and Aga – all counterpunchers who grind out points with excellent defence, before concluding rallies with excellent groundstrokes and variety.

In the semifinal she will face Errani, a counterpuncher who grinds out points with excellent defence before concluding points with excellent groundstrokes and variety.

See the pattern?

Halep’s form has been quite strong coming into this match. Her performance against JJ was extremely solid in the face of very difficult weather conditions.

Having said that, her performances against Kerber and Aga have really impressed this week. Before Toronto, Halep hadn’t won a three set match since defeating Garbine Muguruza in April this year. Since then, she had reached third set deciders on four occasions. Each time, she appeared hesitant and unconfident in her ability to close out tough matches.

Against Kerber, Halep claimed a straightforward first set and fought her way to 5-all in the second set. Losing the second set didn’t faze Simona though, as she scrapped her way to claim the third set (and the match) 6-4. Her final service game was particularly impressive. Halep hit a roaring ace out wide to hold serve to love and close out the taxing match, before raising her arms in simultaneous joy and relief.

Halep’s comfort closing out matches this week was also on display in an odd match against Aga. A fatigued Halep lost a terrible first set, in which she was served an undesirable bagel. Refusing to go down without a fight, Halep clawed her way through a close second set, before running away with the third. Again, she struck a fantastic serve to hold to love and close out the match.

Based on her showing this week, Halep has regained much of the confidence that has eluded her for the past few months, which was made obvious during her numerous trips to the net in the closing stages against Radwanska.

Sara Errani’s Journey to the Semifinal

And confidence is something she’ll need desperately when she faces Sara Errani. The diminutive Italian has enjoyed a great week in Toronto, where she will contest the semifinals for the first time.

Errani’s wins over Kristina Mladenovic and Madison Brengle in the first two rounds were standard Errani fare: three setters, during which Errani retrieved balls with varied shots and managed to claim victory.

It was her third round victory over Victoria Azarenka that really featured some special tennis from the Italian. Granted, Azarenka did not play well, striking 52 unforced errors. But a matchup against the tour’s best returner will always present immense danger for Errani, who may be the tour’s worst server. Her work from the baseline was some of her best since her best years in 2012-2013.

Her strong form continued in the quarterfinals where she took out the very dangerous qualifier Lesia Tsurenko in straight sets. It should be mentioned that Errani benefited greatly in the first set from a rough Tsurenko.

Who Will Win?

Halep leads the head-to-head 2-1, although Errani’s one victory came months before Halep’s breakthrough in 2013. The Romanian claimed their only encounter this year on the clay in Stuttgart, winning in straight sets. Their most recent encounter on hard courts was in Doha last year, with Halep winning 6-2, 6-0.

Halep’s aggressive gamestyle and retrieving abilities seem to cause issues for Errani. Simona has the power, and the ability to create angles, to punch her way through Errani’s court coverage. Her speed will also allow her to match the Italian’s defence. Meanwhile, Errani just doesn’t have the bite to push Halep off her beloved baseline. The Italian’s serve will also be devoured by Halep, who is one of the best returners on the tour.

Both players are entering the match in very respectable form, despite not playing their best. Halep has has to endure extended rallies against three of the game’s best defenders this week and has looked lethargic at times. Errani has also experienced ebbs and flows in her game, especially in her quarterfinal match where her uninspired play allowed Tsurenko to fight back from 0-5 to 4-5 in the first set.

Ultimately, Simona should take this one. Her victories this week will have done the world of good for her confidence, which should supplement a game style that Errani already has trouble with. If Halep plays the tired, unexceptional tennis that lost her the first set against Radwanska, Errani may be able to win by pushing the Romanian around the court.

But Halep does have the better game and has comfortably defeated Errani on the Italian’s two best surfaces. She also has more experience in Premier 5 semifinals, having won two titles at this level in Doha and Dubai.

And if she shows up playing the tennis that ultimately saw her through her first three matches in Toronto, she will once again be raising her arms in delight and thinking how miraculous it was that she took a wildcard in Canada.

Prediction: Simona Halep in 2 sets.

Who Will Win: Simona Halep or Sara Errani?

Do you think that Simona Halep will continue her revitalising run in Toronto? Or will Sara Errani be too much for the Romanian? Let us know in the comments below!

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