“Day by day, I’m getting better !”: Halep races past Badosa to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

Simona Halep defeated Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-2 on Monday evening. She’ll face American Amanda Anisimova, the No 20 seed

Romania’s Simona Halep celebrates winning her fourth round match against Spain’s Paula Badosa (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

July 4, 2022

Romanian Simona Halep, the No 16 seed, advanced to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon by winning against Spaniard Paula Badosa, the No 4 seed, 6-1, 6-2 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Monday evening.

She is chasing a second Wimbledon title – and reached the last eight in under an hour.

Special Simona 💪

Our 2019 champion defeats Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/yux7UnL9Ro
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2022

“It was the place that I wanted to be today,” she said on Centre Court afterwards. “I think I played a great match, it’s always tough to play against her.”

Halep has not yet dropped a set at this tournament – although she said, “I didn’t think about that until now!” – and added: “I’m really pleased with the way I’ve played in this tournament so far. Day by day it’s getting better.”

Halep Wimbledon 2022 — Simona Halep during her first round match against Karolina Muchova| © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Halep – “I was nervous yesterday!”

The world No 18 had joined the other previous champions on Centre Court on Sunday as part of the centenary celebrations, and confessed: “Being on the court with all the champions was amazing – I was more nervous then than today!”

After her triumph in 2019, the 2020 tournament was cancelled amidst the pandemic, and she missed 2021’s edition through injury. She admitted: “I missed a lot to play Wimbledon. Three years was a lot.” It is now her first Grand Slam quarter-final since the Australian Open 2021.

"It's very special to be back"

We've missed you too, @Simona_Halep 🥺#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/TIoROuruD7
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2022

She explained in her press conference afterwards: “It means a lot that I’m back in a quarter-final after I struggled so much with injuries and self-confidence…I’m working hard every day. I feel like if I do that, I will get better. Actually I’m really happy with the way I’m playing. I’m really confident. It’s a pleasure to be on court.”

Halep, ranked No 18, will now play American Amanda Anisimova, the No 20 seed.

Halep still hasn’t lost single set. Earlier in the tournament, the Romanian beat Czech Karolina Muchova (6-3, 6-2), Belgian Kirsten Flipkens (7-5, 6-4) and Pole Magdalena Frech (6-4, 6-1).

Badosa, ranked No 4, defeated American qualifier Louisa Chirico (6-2, 6-1), Romanian Irina Bara (6-3, 6-2) and Czech Petra Kvitova, the No 25 seed (7-5, 7-6 (4)) in the previous rounds. She had already lost the only previous meeting against Simona Halep, in Madrid this season (6-3 6-1).

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