Romania’s top tennis player Simona Halep advances to Indian Wells semifinals

Romania's star player Simona Halep, who currently tops the WTA women’s tennis rankings, defeated Croatian Petra Martic in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, advancing to her third Indian Wells semifinal. The match was a tough one, especially due to the windy conditions, but the Romanian managed to win the game. "[The wind was] a bit too much," Halep said after the match, cited by Wtatennis.com. "Everything I had today frustration way, it was because of the wind." In the semifinal Halep will play against Naomi Osaka, number 44 in the WTA rankings. The two met three times before, at the 2016 French Open, the 2017 tournament in Miami, and this year’s Australian Open, with the Romanian winning all three matches. Simona Halep won the 2015 edition of the Indian Wells tournament, and last year was eliminated in the third round by French player Kristina Mladenovic. Romania’s tennis ace Simona Halep confirms new contract with Nike Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com (photo source: BNP Paribas Open on Facebook)