Halep downs battling Jabeur

DUBAI: Top seed Simona Halep needed four match points to see off Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur on Wednesday, squeezing into the quarterfinals of the WTA Dubai Championships 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (9/7). “I don’t know how I was able to finish this,” said Halep who had to save a match point herself before progressing. “It was up-and-down because she doesn’t give rhythm. It was very weird, but I’m happy I could win.” The Wimbledon champion’s win came after Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza re-established order among the top seeds after a run of upsets at the Aviation Club. World number three Pliskova strolled to a 6-1, 6-2 defeat of qualifier Kristina Mladenovic in barely an hour, before ninth seed Muguruza took almost two-and-a-half hours to get past Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. Three big names had exited the day before — defending champion Belinda Bencic, third seed Elina Svitolina and Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin. The tense Halep match resembled a Fed Cup tie, with rival groups of Tunisian and Romanian fans out-shouting each other. “It was like a football match or a Fed Cup match. I didn’t really realise what was going on on court,” added Halep. “Everyone was with a lot of energy so we had to give our best. I think it was a great match.” Wildcard Jabeur, ranked 45, came from 4-2 down in the final-set tie-breaker, missing a match point of her own when she netted a forehand. Halep, who lost the opening set in 26 minutes, eventually claimed victory when Jabeur drove long. “It was a very tough match, she played well,” Halep said. “I wanted to give all I had and just wanted to win. I didn’t give up, I’m proud I fought to the end.” In the quarterfinals, Halep faces Belarusian seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka who defeated doubles partner Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-4, 6-3. Pliskova pegged back Mladenovic after the Frenchwoman had earned only her first main-draw win of the season in the first round. “It’s always a tough one against her. We played in Australia, so I knew what to expect,” Pliskova said. “I was not playing amazing but still, even with a couple of mistakes, I didn’t give up. The score looked a little bit easier than it really was, we had a couple of tough games.” Muguruza went into her match two days after beating Kim Clijsters in the Belgian’s first WTA match since 2012. “There’s a lot of things that I could have done better,” two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza said. “But I’m excited that I gave myself another opportunity to be in the quarters.” Last month’s Australian Open finalist added: “I’m just happy that I get these tough matches. “Honestly, the difference is very, very small, I’m just pleased to go through.” Muguruza will bid for a semifinal place on Thursday, taking on Jennifer Brady, a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 winner against 2019 Roland Garros runner-up Marketa Vondrousova. — AFP WTA Dubai results on Wednesday Second round Simona Halep (ROU x1) bt Ons Jabeur (TUN) 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (9/7); Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x7) bt Elise Mertens (BEL) 6-4, 6-3; Jennifer Brady (USA) bt Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1; Garbine Muguruza (ESP x9) bt Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4; Petra Martic (CRO x8) bt Barbora Strycova (CZE) 6-3, 6-3; Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 7-6 (7/5), 7-5; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-3, 6-3; Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-1, 6-2