Halep, Wozniacki qualify to third round of Qatar Total Open
DOHA, February 15, 2018-World number two Simona Halep made light work of her niggling ankle injury as she easily overcame Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 while newly-crowned Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, the world No. 1, trounced Germany's Carina Witthoeft 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday.
A very intense and aggressive display saw the World No.1 Dane dismantled the 22-year-old German in just 57 minutes at end of the Centre Court clash.
Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Halep who was making a return to competitive action since losing the Australian Open final, needed only 71 minutes to book her place in the third round of the tournament which ends on February 18.
The No. 2 seed Romanian, like all the other top-eight seeds, received a bye in the first round.
Halep, who was the most clicked player on WTATennis.com for two consecutive years (2014–2015), raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set before Makarova, the world number 36, showed some defiance by breaking her serve and threatening a comeback.
The 2013 WTA's Most Improved Player, Halep, who hit 13 winners, rallied and then stormed through the second set without losing a game.
“It's a wonderful feeling playing again and winning. Everything worked just fine today and I'm happy that I won. I hope to go as far as possible at this tournament and hopefully I will be victorious in the end," Halep said.
The 26 year-old right-handed player has the possibility of reclaiming the world's top ranking this week if she reaches at least the quarter-finals and goes one round further than Wozniacki.
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