halep readies for big challenge
Wednesday 30 July 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

against Sharapova

Halep readies for 'big challenge'

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleHalep readies for 'big challenge'

Simona Halep of Romania
New York - Muslimchronicle

Second-ranked Simona Halep expects a major challenge when she becomes Maria Sharapova's first Grand Slam opponent after a doping ban in the highest-profile first-round match at the US Open.

Just days after squandering her third chance at reaching world number one with a humbling loss in the Cincinnati final, the 25-year-old Romanian was on the practice court when she got the message she would face a Russian foe who is 6-0 lifetime against her.

"Of course was a little bit like, 'How is possible again? Just first round of a Grand Slam.' But I felt OK," Halep said Saturday. "I did my practice normal. I didn't have something emotional. I'm normal."

Her situation is anything but normal. Halep, a two-time French Open runner-up, launches another bid for her first Grand Slam title Monday against five-time major champion Sharapova, who served a 15-month ban after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

Sharapova has won 22 Grand Slam first-round matches in a row since last losing a major opener at the 2010 Australian Open. And she is 10-0 in US Open first-round matches.

"It's going to be a big challenge, first round of Grand Slam, to face her," Halep said. "She beat me six times. So maybe I will change this. We will see Monday.

"I just want to do my best, to try to win the match and of course to enjoy it. It's a big, big match."

Sharapova made her return in April at Stuttgart, reaching the semi-finals as a wildcard, but such invitations sparked criticism from some WTA rivals, saying she should have to work her way back without such benefits, some suggesting a life ban.

Former world number one Sharapova was refused a wildcard by the French Open and missed Wimbledon with a thigh injury. A forearm injury has limited her to one US Open hardcourt tuneup match.

"About wildcard, the tournament decided, so they can do anything they want. Is not my position to talk about this," Halep said.

"She's coming back. She's strong enough to come back. She has a lot of experience, and also many tournaments won so I think she's OK."

Sharapova has missed three of the past four US Opens, her last visit ending in the 2014 fourth round.

- 'Not thinking what Maria did' -

Sharapova's doping ban is not among the things Halep will focus upon in trying to make her rival's Grand Slam comeback a brief one.

"I'm not thinking what Maria did or what Maria does and how is the situation. I'm just thinking about myself," Halep said.

"It's not going to be easy. Is just another match, another challenge, another possibility to face her and to try to win against her.

"I don't want to put pressure on myself that I'm facing Maria Sharapova. It's a normal player. She's coming back, so she played really well in the past, so she's still a good player. I have to just focus on myself."

She doesn't expect spectators to create a scene over Sharapova's doping issue.

"I don't know about the crowd. We will see Monday," Halep said. "But everyone here was very fair to me always and I had a very nice crowd. So I don't expect anything bad. I just expect a nice atmosphere."

Halep said she has improved greatly since their most recent meeting in the 2015 WTA Finals.

"I feel better and I feel that I'm ready to face her again," Halep said. "I just want to change something. Maybe I can win."

source: AFP

  Shar  
themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

GMT 09:44 2017 Monday ,11 December

MVP Stanton reportedly headed

GMT 14:01 2017 Tuesday ,28 November

Japan's Miyahara captures Skate America crown

GMT 15:19 2017 Thursday ,23 November

Barmy Army has Lyon in their sights

GMT 13:18 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Frazier, Judge power Yankees over Astros

GMT 09:13 2017 Saturday ,09 September

Madison makes a splash at US Open
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

halep readies for big challenge halep readies for big challenge

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 12:29 2016 Friday ,30 December

Burberry to launch Liquid Lip Velvet

GMT 09:55 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Washington chooses Syria as its battleground

GMT 10:50 2017 Wednesday ,12 July

UAE para-athlete dies in training accident

GMT 15:54 2017 Friday ,28 July

Putin signs law to keep Russian base in Syria

GMT 08:03 2017 Thursday ,06 July

Qatar Airways says flights now exempt

GMT 00:44 2012 Wednesday ,09 May

Larger-than-life leader

GMT 10:00 2017 Tuesday ,04 April

S&P cuts South Africa's credit rating to 'junk'

GMT 09:02 2017 Wednesday ,15 March

Test of maturity for Kohli and Smith in Ranchi

GMT 15:13 2017 Thursday ,31 August

Jordan condemns Daesh's killing of 11 Libyans

GMT 16:23 2017 Friday ,03 November

UN’s support of Houthi militias is unacceptable

GMT 07:18 2018 Friday ,19 January

IMF urges Germany to loosen purse strings

GMT 19:42 2017 Monday ,06 March

Turkey's constitutional referendum heightens

GMT 01:24 2012 Friday ,11 May

Power in Political Islam

GMT 14:11 2017 Monday ,24 April

BMW reveals i8 Protonic special edition

GMT 23:26 2018 Thursday ,04 January

US, S. Korea agree to suspend military drills

GMT 09:10 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

Japan emperor greets New Year well-wishers

GMT 09:37 2016 Tuesday ,27 December

Kuwait jails Filipina for joining Daesh jihadists

GMT 10:12 2017 Thursday ,31 August

France seeks 600 mn in taxes from Microsoft: report

GMT 13:16 2017 Thursday ,09 March

Israeli law banning prayer call rejected
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle