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Halep Hurries Past Keys, Draws First Blood In WTA Finals Red Group

 

SINGAPORE – No.3 seed Simona Halep made an impressive start as round robin play got underway on Sunday. Making her third BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global appearance, Halep dismissed No.6 seed Madison Keys, 6-2, 6-4, to move into first place in the Red Group.

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Emerging onto Centre Court following the opening ceremonies, Halep converted her fourth break point in a long third game to grab the early momentum from Keys, herself a WTA Finals debutante.

Falling behind a set and a break to the confident Romanian, Keys took a coaching timeout with Thomas Hogstedt that helped her break serve for the first time all match, but was ultimately undone by 41 unforced errors to only 16 winners. Hitting five winners to 12 errors of her own, Halep kept her cool and her consistency to break straight back on a sensational backhand pass. On her third opportunity, she served out the win in one hour and eight minutes.

The former World No.2 moves into the lead in the Red Group, while Keys will need strong performances in her next two matches to have a chance of making the semifinals.

More to come…