Confident Halep into quarterfinals

Romanian’s Open campaign builds momentum after year of injury frustrations, writes Anna Harrington.

WORLD No 2 Aryna Sabalenka has overcome another shaky start to fight past Marketa Vondrousova and seal a passage to the second week of the Australian Open.

The Belarusian went to three sets in all her Melbourne Park matches and dropped the opener against Vondrousova before prevailing 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 yesterday.

Sabalenka teed up a quarterfinal clash with Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, who knocked out local wildcard Maddison Inglis 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.

The stars are aligning for Simona Halep, with the former Melbourne Park finalist cruising into the round of 16 as the Australian Open draw opens up in front of her.

The Romanian made light work of Danka Kovinic in her third-round clash at John Cain Arena, thrashing the Montenegrin 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second week for a fifth consecutive year.

After an injury-ravaged 2021,

Halep kicked off her Australian summer in style, triumphing in the Melbourne Summer Set and is yet to drop a set in her three matches at the Open.

‘‘I feel like I played great. She was a little bit tired, she had a tough match before me,’’ she said.

‘‘But it’s always a big challenge to play on this court and to give the best. So I’m really pleased with the way I played and looking forward to the next round.

‘‘I feel good, I feel more confident now because last year was a tough year. So now I just enjoy playing tennis, I’m happy.

‘‘So it’s a good thing that I can come here and try my best.’’

Halep fought through a fierce start from Kovinic to power through the opening set in 29 minutes and take the match by the scruff of the neck, with the world No 98 having no answers to her thumping forehand.

The former world No 1 went one better in the second set, holding all her service games to wrap up the match.

Halep will next face Alize

Cornet in the fourth round, after the French veteran fought back from a set and 4-1 down against 29th seed Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

‘‘Tamara was playing great tennis, I was not playing my best,’’ said Cornet, who ousted Garbine Muguruza in the second round.

‘‘I just kept going, I was just

fighting, I put all the resilience I could put in this match and finally I came back and wow, it’s a magic win for me.

‘‘I’m so happy. I mean, it’s been 13 years after my first fourth round, and I’m back in the fourth round in the Australian Open. Oh my God.’’

Yesterday also marked Cornet’s 32nd birthday and, after initially departing the court postinterview, she was brought back where the Margaret Court Arena crowd sang a rousing version of Happy Birthday.

Elsewhere, No 6 seeds in the men’s doubles Kiwi Michael Venus and partner Tim Putz of Germany enjoyed a straight sets victory over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena and France’s

Hugo Baston 6-1, 6-4, to move into the third round today against Australians Jason Kubler and Chris O’Connell. Venus is also due to play in the mixed doubles today with fellow Kiwi Erin Routliffe in a second-round clash against fourth seeds Putz and Alexa Guarachi of Chile.