Sydney International: Simona Halep books semi-final spot

Romania's Simona Halep fought off big-serving Czech Karolina Pliskova to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International yesterday

Sydney: Romania's Simona Halep fought off big-serving Czech Karolina Pliskova to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International yesterday.

Romania’s Simona Halep returns to Karolina Pliskova during the Round 3 match in Sydney yesterday. Pic/ AFP

The world number two had been tested in two tight previous matches, and Pliskova again made things difficult for Halep.

Halep had early breaks in both sets only to be pulled back, before the tournament top seed closed out for a 6-4, 7-5 win over the Czech fifth seed in one hour and 38 minutes in blistering heat.

"It was tough today. Was very close. She's playing well, and she's strong with the serve," Halep said.

Dimitrov in quarters
Grigor Dimitrov reached his second consecutive quarter-final of the new season with a straight-sets win over Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas. The Bulgarian world number 28, looking for more matches under new coach Franco Davin, ousted Cuevas 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 and will next play Ukraine's Aleksandr Dolgopolov.

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