Osaka, Halep Roll Into Melbourne QFs

Former No. 1s Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep both rolled into the Melbourne quarterfinals on Thursday.

Osaka pounded Maryna Zanevska 6-1, 6-1. After a tough 3-set opener against Alize Cornet, it was a strong performance by Osaka who is playing her first event since the US Open.

Halep also look good crushing countrywoman Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour.

“Very happy that I could win this match in this way,” Halep told the crowd. “The beginning was a little bit different, so I didn’t feel the ball great, but slowly I started to feel the game, and I think I was dominating the match.

“I’m very happy with the way I played. I worked a lot in the off-season, so I feel ready to play matches. Actually, I missed playing official matches a lot, so here I am, and I try every time to give my best.”

Halep will next meet Swiss Viktorija Golubic. Osaka will take on former German Top 10 Andrea Petkovic in her quarterfinal. As the top two seeds, Osaka and Halep could meet in the final.

Daria Kasatkina posted a good win ousting former Australian Open semifinalist Madison Keys Madison Keys 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3.

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