Australian Open: Impressive Halep cruises past Pliskova

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Melbourne, January 24: Simona Halep produced a dominant display to ease past Karolina Pliskova in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday (January 24).

The world number one was in impressive form on Rod Laver Arena, needing just 71 minutes to beat Pliskova 6-3 6-2 and move into her first semi-final at Melbourne Park.

Incredibly, Pliskova raced out to a 3-0 lead, only for Halep to reel off nine consecutive games to take complete control.

Halep had won five of the previous six matches between the pair, and the Romanian improved that already impressive record.

Battling an ankle injury in Melbourne, Halep – still eyeing her first major title – moved into a fifth career grand slam semi-final.

Halep, 26, made few mistakes to set up a last-four clash against Angelique Kerber.

While Pliskova made a fast start to lead 3-0, the Czech's 10 forehand unforced errors were costly in the first set.

She reduced her errors slightly in the second, but Halep remained consistent to ease into the semi-finals.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Halep [1] bt Pliskova [6] 6-3 6-2

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Halep – 20/10

Pliskova – 21/28

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS

Halep – 0/4

Pliskova – 2/3

BREAK POINTS WON

Halep – 5/10

Pliskova – 1/4

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Halep – 63

Pliskova – 66

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Halep – 76/45

Pliskova – 55/32

TOTAL POINTS

Halep – 69

Pliskova – 49

Source: OPTA