Simona Halep crashes out of Wuhan Open
Tuesday 26 September 2017 13:53, UK
World number two Simona Halep has been knocked out of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open as she lost 6-2 6-1 to Russia's Daria Kasatkina.
The Romanian, who is currently ranked second in the world, seemed to be in control early on as she broke her opponent, but Kasatkina dominated the contest after Halep's fast start.
Kasaktina did not allow the more experienced Halep to settle and the 20-year-old hit more winners and less unforced errors on her way to taking the first set.
This was the third meeting between the pair and despite Halep showing more aggression in the opening game of the second set, Kasaktina kept her cool to hold serve.
The world No 31 then exerted her dominance again as she broke in the fourth game with a strong forehand.
Kasaktina, who beat former world No 1 Angelique Kerber earlier this year, took full advantage of further errors from Halep to break the 26-year-old in the sixth game before completing the victory by serving out to 15.
Kasatkina said: "The game was much more difficult than the score is.
"It's always difficult to play against Simona. I played a good game. I prepared for this match well.
"I'll just try to play my best tennis, to focus on every game and every point because I don't want to say something and then it doesn't happen," she added.
