Australian Open 2020 news - Simona Halep beats Anett Kontaveit in under an hour

ByEurosport

Updated 29/01/2020 at 06:45 GMT

Simona Halep is through to the Australian Open semi-finals for the second time in her career after an easy 6-1 6-1 win over Anett Kontaveit in 53 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Halep's explosive style of play was too much for the 24-year-old Estonian and she will now face Garbine Muguruza, who beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets, in the last four.

Highlights: Halep thrashes Kontaveit to reach Melbourne semis

• Watch all courts and all matches of the Australian Open live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player
• Muguruza beats Pavlyuchenkova to reach first ever Australian Open semi-final

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The Romanian converted three of her eight break point opportunities in the opening set as she began the match at a frantic pace, forcing Kontaveit to make 11 unforced errors.

And the second set followed a similar pattern with Kontaveit only registering one game as Halep kept her foot on the pedal and surged into the next round.

Halep: I knew how to play Kontaveit

'I feel much stronger' - Halep's on-court interview

"I felt great today on court," she said post-match.

"I feel strong on my legs and I knew how to play against her. I was focused in every point I played and I enjoy playing in Melbourne a lot.

“I worked a bit more in the off-season. For the first time in my life I did my off-season away from home so I could feel focused on what I had to do every day.

"No days off. It meant a lot for me. I’ve started the year well and I feel much stronger than before."

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