Halep all set for Sharapova challenge

SECOND-RANKED Simona Halep expects a major challenge when she becomes Maria Sharapova’s first Grand Slam opponent after a doping ban in the highest-profile firstround match at the US Open.

Just days after squandering her third chance at reaching world No. 1 with a humbling loss in the Cincinnati final, the 25-year-old Romanian was on the practice court when she got the message she would face a Russian foe who is 6-0 lifetime against her.

“Of course was a little bit like, ‘How is possible again? Just first round of a Grand Slam.’ But I felt OK,” Halep said on Saturday.

“I did my practice normal. I didn’t have something emotional. I’m normal.”

Her situation is anything but normal. Halep, a two-time French Open runner-up, launches another bid for her first Grand Slam title today against five-time major champion Sharapova, who served a 15-month ban after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

Sharapova has won 22 Grand Slam first-round matches in a row since last losing a major opener at the 2010 Australian Open. And she is 10-0 in US Open first-round matches.

“It’s going to be a big challenge, first round of Grand Slam, to face her,” Halep said.

“She beat me six times. So maybe I will change this. We will see on Monday.

“I just want to do my best, to try to win the match and of course to enjoy it. It’s a big, big match.”

Sharapova’s doping ban is not among the things Halep will focus upon in trying to make her rival’s Grand Slam comeback a brief one.

Halep said she has improved greatly since their most recent meeting in the 2015 WTA Finals.

“I feel better and I feel that I’m ready to face her again,” Halep said. “I just want to change something. Maybe I can win.” — AFP