Simona in the semi-finals

Simona Halep put together a ruthless display on Wednesday against Anett Kontaveit to make the semi-finals of the Australian Open for a second time in three years.

Yet to drop a set this fortnight in Melbourne, the fourth-seeded Halep needed just 53 minutes to ease past Kontaveit 6-1, 6-1, losing a mere 12 points on serve throughout the match.

Effortlessly covering every inch of the court, and bringing an aggressive game that overwhelmed Kontaveit, who was making her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut, Halep is into a seventh career major semi-final, where she awaits Garbine Muguruza.

It’s a pleasure to play in Australia and I’m really happy to play my best tennis and go through to the semi-finals

said the 28-year-old Halep on court.

I felt great today on court, I feel my game, I feel strong on my legs and I knew how to play against her. I’ve just been focused on every game I played, and I really enjoy playing here in Melbourne.