World no. 44 upsets no. 5 Pliskova after brilliant game

Indian Wells ( United States), March 15: World no. 1 Simona Halep punched her ticket to the Indian Wells semi- finals with a 6- 4, 6- 7 ( 5/ 7), 6- 3 win over Croatia’s Petra Martic.

The 26- year- old Halep improved to 18- 1 on the season and is looking to win her second WTA Tour title of 2018.

Halep, of Romania, needed two hours and 23 minutes on Wednesday to put Martic away under taxing conditions as strong winds swirled around the main stadium court.

Halep is guaranteed to hold onto her no. 1 ranking at the end of this event after world number two Caroline Wozniacki was eliminated on Tuesday.

Halep blasted two aces and broke Martic’s serve four times.

Halep won the final five games of the third set after being broken once and falling behind 3- 1 early.

The turning point in the third set came for Halep after she won a challenge in the eighth game with Martic holding serve. On the very next point Martic hit a forehand wide as Halep took the game and a 5- 3 set lead.

Halep then served for the match, winning five of the final six points after the challenge.

Halep is seeking her second Indian Wells title after beating Jelena Jankovic in 2015.

In the evening session, world no. 44 Osaka broke Pliskova’s serve six times in her 6- 2, 6- 3 upset on the main stadium court.

“I returned the ball well,” said Osaka. “She is one of the best servers on tour and I was able to break her quite a few times so I am really happy about that.”

Pliskova, who reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in January, smashed five aces but made six double faults.

Pliskova was trying to reach the semifinals in this event for the third consecutive year.

“Everything was a little bit off from my side,” Pliskova said. “She was playing very well. Hitting her spots, forehands, even the backhands.”

FAN

The Williams sisters may not know it, but they have a no. 1 fan in Simona Halep.

Top seed Halep took time in between her own matches to attend the Williams’ sisters match on Monday at WTA Tour’s Indian Wells tournament.

“It’s always nice to watch them. I love the way that they are motivated and they are still playing at this age and Serena with the kid,” said Halep.

“So it is great thing what they do for the sport and it is great that tennis has them. Also I have many things to learn from them. That’s why I am trying to go in and watch every time I can,” she added.

“I’m number one at the moment but I just watched the best player ( Serena) in the world,” Halep said.