Simona Halep – Press Conference
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You played her like the third time in four months. How did you approach the match?
SIMONA HALEP: Every tournament actually we played. Yeah, it’s not easy to play against a Romanian. It’s always a little bit tougher mentally.
I think I did a good job today. My game was not great. I didn’t feel the racquet very well, the string. I think the conditions also, very late, it was a little bit chilly outside.
When I win the match, doesn’t matter. It’s important to win it.
Q. The last time you and Ons played here was a crazy atmosphere. Talk about that match and you how you look at the next one.
SIMONA HALEP: As I said on court, hopefully again we don’t play three hours and a half. It was a crazy match. Good because I won it. Actually was very physically. Was not easy.
Also, yeah, actually the crowd helped us to go through, to fight till the end. So I’m expecting a very tough battle tomorrow, but that’s why I’m here.
I’ll try to recover and give my best again tomorrow.
Q. She said she was expecting a big fight between the fans. You have many fans here.
SIMONA HALEP: Always I have a great atmosphere. Many people are coming to support me. It’s always a pleasure to play in Dubai.
Hopefully will be fair and everybody will be together to have a good show.
Q. What is one advice you would give for Elena?
SIMONA HALEP: I cannot give advices because I’m still playing. I’m not right in that position, in that place to give somebody an advice.
She’s doing great. She won pretty good matches here. She’s playing really good. So she has to keep working and believe.
Q. How do you prepare yourself when you have to wait for the match to start all day?
SIMONA HALEP: I have experience now so I don’t really consume much energy before the matches, even if I have to wait the whole day.
I just chilled in the room. I went out little bit to have some fresh air and I watched some tennis. So pretty relaxed.
Q. How confident are you of your chances about winning the title this year?
SIMONA HALEP: Every match is a battle. I’m not going to think about the title. I just want to face tomorrow’s match and to give my best. Is the only plan that I have here.
Q. About Ons, obviously when you played her she was still trying to get to where she is right now. Now she’s the last seed standing. What do you make of her development?
SIMONA HALEP: She did a great job. Actually an amazing performance to be top 10 and to qualify for the finals. I think she’s very talented. She feels that ball so well. She’s moving well. I think she feels tennis. That’s why she’s able to win important and good matches.
Also she’s a fighter. This helps a lot at that level.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
117036-1-1004 2022-02-16 19:10:00 GMT
