Simona Halep books place in last eight of Australian Open

  • World No 1 Simona Halep had no problems in fourth round of Australian Open
  • She breezed past Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-2 in under an hour and a half in Melbourne
  • Halep will face Barbora Strycova (20) or Karolina Pliskova (6) in quarter-final tie
  • Impressive Romanian has never got past the last eight at the Australian Open 

Simona Halep made light work of up-and-coming star Naomi Osaka to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday.

The world No 1 was on court for just an hour and 19 minutes as she recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory to set up a last eight clash with Barbora Strycova or Karolina Pliskova.

Her latest performance, and in particular the ease of victory, was worlds away from round three, in which she saved three match points in a four-hour epic.

Halep has never been past the quarter-finals in Melbourne, but is in the form of her life and could well go all the way this year.

The Romanian is in search of her maiden Grand Slam title, having only ever reached the semi-final at Wimbledon and the US Open in the past.

Halep was the seventh woman to book her place in the last eight, joining Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Elise Mertens, Elina Svitolina, Carla Suarez Navarro and Caroline Wozniacki. 



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