Halep beats Bouchard to score 200th win

World No.2 Simona Halep of Romania got through a challenging battle with wild card Eugenie Bouchard of Canada on Tuesday, clinching a close opening set in a tiebreak en route to a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

“[Bouchard] played well,” Halep told the media during her post-match press conference. “The level was pretty good. I served very well. At some points I really ran very well. I’m confident. I feel good on court even if I’m tired,” said Halep, who is coming off a run to the final in Doha last week.

2015 Dubai champion Halep picked up her fourth win in five meetings against former World No.5 Bouchard after one hour and 42 minutes of play, giving the reigning French Open champion the 200th main-draw match win of her storied career.

“It’s always tough one against [Bouchard] because she stays close to the baseline and takes the ball very fast,” Halep explained. “I tried just to push her back as much as possible. After, when I had the chance, I was aggressive and I finished the points.”

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