French Open 2020 - Simona Halep extends career best win streak to reach third round
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Updated 30/09/2020 at 18:16 GMT
Simona Halep progressed through to the third round of the 2020 French Open with a straight sets, 6-3 6-4, win over her fellow Romanian, Irina-Camelia Begu. It took Halep one hour and 23 minutes to seal the win at Roland Garros. The 29-year-old is still also the defending Wimbledon champion and now a favourite to triumph in Paris.
Simona Halep of Romania celebrates victory following in her Women's Singles second round match against Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania on day four of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros
Image credit: Getty Images
Simona Halep extended her career best win streak to 16 with a solid victory over compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu at the 2020 French Open.
The Romanian pair duelled on Court Suzanne Lenglen and produced an entertaining match which the top seed ended up winning in straight sets.
It took Halep one hour and 23 minutes to wrap up victory, but it was far from easy going for the 29-year-old as Begu proved a tough opponent.
Perhaps the most entertaining point of the match was a truly bizarre exchange from the back of the court as the pair engaged in what appeared to be balloon ball with looping groundstrokes.
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'Extraordinary point!' - Halep and Begu play balloon ball in bizarre rally
Begu hit seven more winners than the 2018 champion but also had 15 more unforced errors.
Halep had won all the previous seven meetings with her 73rd-ranked opponent and she never looked likely to surrender that record.
"It's never easy to play against a Romanian and against Irina, we played so many times," Halep said.
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"It's never easy, she's a very strong opponent and she's also powerful, the serve is really strong.
"Today I really felt it's very slippery at the back of the court because there was no roof," she added.
"It's different, I have to say it. But anyway it is nice here, every court is beautiful so I am ready to face anything."
The 2018 champion in Paris hit her 15th winner on match point and will next take on American teenager Amanda Anisimova, who thrashed Bernarda Pera 6-2 6-0 earlier in the day.
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Highlights: Halep battles past Begu to continue winning streak
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