Halep beats Sevastova, sets up quarters clash with teenage sensation Bellis

​DOHA, February 16, 2018-World No.2 Simona Halep matched majestically into the quarters after overpowering Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets 6-4 6-3 on Thursday. The win was the second straight victory for the former world No. 1 at the Qatar Total Open 2018.

The Romanian is now set to face American teenage sensation Catherine (CiCi) Bellis in the last-eight.

A sloppy start from the world number two allowed Sevastova to break her serve in the very first game, but Halep soon felt her way into the match and levelled at 2-2.

An entertaining opening set turned in Halep's favour at 5-3 and, although Sevastova swiftly hit back, she then brilliantly broke to love to clinch the lead after 32 minutes.

The two players continued to trade blows, with Halep again recovering after a series of errors had handed the Latvian the advantage in the second set.

Sevastova did not crumble, but Halep's pressure told as she came to the net to belatedly finish the contest in style with her fourth match point, before acknowledging that her class had won out against a tough opponent.

"[Sevastova] is a great player and I was a little bit nervous," she said on court. "I'm glad that I could play maybe my best tennis."

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