Halep in 'a good spot' as she sets up last-16 Cornet clash / Photo: ©
-
Ivory Coast's Diomande living World Cup dream, dealing with tragedy
-
Slipper out of retirement for Wallabies' Nations Championship campaign
-
Australia seek 'respect' from US amid World Cup 'layup' row
-
New Zealand's Payne joins Paraguayan powerhouse after Instagram fame
-
Japan doctor-turned-author moots amputations to ease care crunch
-
Clark seizes four-stroke lead at darkness-halted US Open
-
Fossils challenge assumptions on how animals adapted to land
-
From private enterprise to property: Cuba's reforms unpacked
-
Canada romp to first World Cup win, Switzerland thump Bosnia
-
'Last ride': US says goodbye to Air Force One as Qatari jet awaits
-
Venezuela govt, opposition hold US-backed talks on democratic transition
-
Gabriel tells Brazil to turn the page against Haiti at World Cup
-
Horror injury overshadows Canada's first World Cup win
-
Cuba adopts historic package of free-market reforms
-
Swiss wunderkind Manzambi scores 'childhood dream' brace
-
US faces tough path to new Iran nuclear deal
-
Good US Open shots not good enough for 2-over Scheffler
-
Cuba unveils historic package of free-market reforms
-
Subs send Swiss to World Cup rout of Bosnia-Herzegovina
-
Stokes set for England return in New Zealand finale - reports
-
McIlroy pleased with reduced green speeds in US Open winds
-
Quarantine over for almost all hantavirus ship passengers, crew
-
US stocks resume upward climb as dollar advances again after Fed outlook
-
Ex-presidents and stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Library
-
Stevens seizes US Open lead with McIlroy, Aberg one back
-
Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists attack Niger airport, 11 soldiers killed
-
'Big-game' Bellingham shows his worth for England at World Cup
-
New Zealand's Henry rocks England in 2nd Test after Phillips century
-
Vance warns Israel against criticizing US-Iran deal
-
Iran's supreme leader says approved deal as US lifts ports blockade
-
Australian qualifier Hijikata shocks Lehecka at Queen's Club
-
AI-generated videos use Down syndrome to make sales
-
O'Brien's royal century reward for sacrificing all for racing
-
Spurs sign Dutch defender Van Hecke from Brighton
-
England great Botham slams Stokes for breaking curfew
-
Liverpool agree deal to sign Spain forward Munoz from Osasuna
-
Chivu extends Inter deal until 2028 after debut season double triumph
-
New Zealand's Henry rocks England after Phillips century
-
Ghana pushes for concrete slavery reparations
-
Wildcard Eala shocks Rybakina in Berlin
-
Robertson and Scotland eye World Cup history against Morocco
-
South Africa hold Czechs, keep World Cup knockout dream alive
-
Joyful New York celebrates Knicks with ticker-tape parade
-
Important or selfish? World Cup evidence mounts against Ronaldo
-
Europe risks 'total irrelevance' without sovereign tech: Cohere chief
-
EU wrestles over tackling China export flood
-
Ex-presidents, stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Center
-
Vance defends Iran deal, eyes Swiss talks
-
US Olympic athlete Simpson shows 'improvement' after collasing on track
-
Wahi granted Canadian visa for Ivory Coast World Cup match after delay
Halep in 'a good spot' as she sets up last-16 Cornet clash
Fit-again Simona Halep said she was in "a good spot" and feeling no pressure as she stepped up a level to crush the Australian Open dreams of Emma Raducanu's conqueror Danka Kovinic and power into the last 16 on Saturday.
The two-time Grand Slam winner drew on all her experience to sweep past the 98th-ranked Montenegrin 6-2, 6-1 and ensure her participation in the second week for a fifth consecutive year in Melbourne.
She will now play French veteran Alize Cornet, who celebrated her 32nd birthday by beating 29th seed Tamara Zidansek 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on the back of her stunning upset of world number three Garbine Muguruza in round two.
The Romanian Halep is on her way back after a calf tear scuttled her mid-season in 2021 and saw her briefly fall outside the top 20 for the first time since 2013.
"I feel great physically, first of all. Mentally I'm confident and also strong, I would say," said the 30-year-old as she targets a first title at Melbourne Park, having lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 final.
"I'm feeling the game, feeling joy out there. I think that helps me to be positive and to be confident that I have a chance every time I step on the court.
"I feel I'm in a good spot. I really trust that I can play good tennis here. I feel that the pressure is off."
Halep came into the tournament buoyant after her first title in 16 months at the Melbourne Summer Set and was always in charge against Kovinic, who upset US Open champion Raducanu in round two.
Seeded 14, Halep has been in good form this week, dropping just nine games in her opening two matches, and carried that into her clash against the 27-year-old Kovinic.
She raced through the first set and broke early again in the second to steamroll through to a showdown with Cornet, who battled back from a set down in her match.
"It was mostly about survival," said Cornet, who is appearing in her 60th consecutive Grand Slam main draw, the WTA's longest active streak and third longest in history.
"It's definitely a very, very special victory being back in the second week 13 years after my first second week at the Australian Open. It's quite special.
"The day of my birthday, I mean, what else can I ask for?"
O.Lorenz--BTB
