World number four Simona Halep defeated former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-2 at the French Open 2014 quarterfinals on Wednesday. This is Halep’s first career Grand Slam semifinal. Last January, the Romanian reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the Australian Open.
“It seemed like everybody was with me in the crowd today, so it was amazing on court,” Halep said. “Even when I had bad moments on court they were with me and I felt amazing.
“It was a great match, a great atmosphere out there. It was my first time on Suzanne Lenglen and it was a perfect day – I cannot say anything more. Maybe it wasn’t her best performance, but I’m really happy that I could play my game and to win against her, because she’s a great player.
“Now I can look forward for the next round because it’s my first semifinal at a Grand Slam and I have to be very focused, very calm, and to try to do everything on court to get the win.”
Halep is now just a match away from the world number three ranking. She will next face surprise semifinalist Andrea Petkovic of Germany on Thursday.
