(June 27, 2014) WIMBLEDON – French Open finalist and third seed Simona Halep and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki advanced at Wimbledon on Friday, moving into the third round and fourth round, respectively. The start of the day’s matches on the outer courts were delayed by about 30 minutes as rain had been expected around Noon.
Halep took a 6-3, 3-0 lead just to see it vanish and be forced into playing a third set against world No. 170 Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine. Halep went on to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
“I didn’t play my best today,” said Halep. “It was tough match. I expected that she will play very well; she did.”
“You know, on grass is not easy. Every match is difficult. You never know who will win or who will lose because the court, it’s really difficult.
“I believed in my chance today, but after I lost second set, I said that maybe I lose the match because I didn’t feel my game.
“But I was keep fighting and I was enjoying in the third set after I took the break out of the court.
“I left the pressure outside and I just wanted to hit the balls and to stay aggressive.”
The Dane Wozniacki had a 6-3, 6-0 win over Ana Konjuh of Croatia, winning the last 9 games of the encounter.
“She is a very powerful player, Wozniacki said. “When I was in trouble, especially in the first set, I managed to serve some good serves, make some aces.
“It was good. I’m pleased with the way it turned out today. You know, she’s definitely someone to look out for in the future.”
“I think she’s going to be very good. She’s 16. She has some big shots. She has a good serve.”
In a battle between a pair promising teenagers, 17-year-old former No. 1 Junior, Swiss Belinda Bencic defeated 18-year-old U. S. teen Victoria Duval 6-4, 7-5.
Bencic will play Halep for a place in the fourth round.
“I wanted to enjoy the moment for sure, but also I felt a little bit pressure because I was better ranked player in this match,” Bencic said of the win.
“But anyway, I just tried to focus my match and not to think about against who I play.”
Bencic said that she’ll feel no pressure when she plays Halep.
“Of course I’m going to the court and I think I have a chance to beat her and I really want to win.
“So I will just have no pressure, but I will try to give my best and fight.”
Karen Pestaina at Wimbledon