Simona Halep hammers Venus Williams to complete marathon day in Montreal

Updated 10/08/2018 at 10:15 GMT

Simona Halep produced an extraordinary show of strength in Montreal on Thursday, winning twice in the day to reach the quarter-finals.

Simona Halep of Romania reacts after scoring a point against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during day four of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Image credit: Getty Images

Heavy rain had forced Halep's Wednesday match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to be delayed until Thursday morning, and an epic 7-6 4-6 7-5 three-setter compounded the problems for the World Number One, as just hours later Halep was back out on court again to take on Venus Williams in the round-of-16

But Williams has been in poor form this year and never looked capable of coping with Halep, who breezed past the American 6-2 6-2.

Simona Halep of Romania celebrates after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 during day four of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Image credit: Getty Images

WTA Madrid

Badosa reveals 'complicated' future as she is told she may only play for 'few more years'

3 hours ago

“It’s never easy to play either of the Williams sisters, and even though she was struggling, I knew I had to be focused on every ball, and stay focused until the end,” Halep said.

“She wasn’t feeling great on the court and it definitely wasn’t her best day. And I’m happy to be the quarter-finals now.”

Halep will face Caroline Garcia in the last-eight after the French player beat Maria Sharapova.