scoreline: Halep 6-2, 6-2
Halep played some exceptional tennis tonight to take care of Gajdosova in straight sets. Gajdosova hit some splendid shots off the forehand and backhand side but her level was inconsistent. Halep however maintains a high standard for the majority of her matches and that’s why she is through. She is going to be very tough to beat. No. 3 seed for a reason.
Aussie Jarmila Gajdosova is in very good form and will fancy her chances of causing a major upset against Romanian world no. 3 Simona Halep. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from around 9:00pm AEDT.
Rod Laver Arena plays host to an intriguing match-up between two of the most in-form players on the WTA tour. Gajdosova and Halep have each played impressive tennis thus far in 2015 and should be expected to give it their all here.
Halep starts a warm favourite tonight given that she has started 2015 with a title-winning run at Shenzhen, China. She is also coming off a fantastic 2014 season which saw her make the final of the French Open and the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships.
The Romanian is arguably one of the fittest and most durable players on the WTA tour. Every shot in her arsenal is hit with aggression and she is also a very good mover around the court.
In short, Gajdosova will have to produce a career-best performance to knock over a player many fancy to conquer the Australian Open.
Gajdosova however certainly has the form on the board to suggest that she is capable of causing a major boil-over. Her scalps this year include last year’s Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova and the talented German Andrea Petkovic.
Her most impressive performance of the year however came in her defeat to last year’s Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. Gajdosova played some outstanding tennis against the two-time Grand Slam champion before eventually falling in three tight sets at the Sydney International.
If Gajdosova can build on the effort she showed against Kvitova in Sydney, she will give herself every chance of matching Halep.
The only concern with Gajdosova at times can be her mental application. She can get frustrated pretty quickly and can often panic on big points.
But with nothing to lose here and a vocal Australian crowd cheering her on, Gajdosova has enough in her arsenal to secure arguably the biggest win of her career.
Gajdosova in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Halep played some exceptional tennis tonight to take care of Gajdosova in straight sets. Gajdosova hit some splendid shots off the forehand and backhand side but her level was inconsistent. Halep however maintains a high standard for the majority of her matches and that's why she is through. She is going to be very tough to beat. No. 3 seed for a reason.
Alan
Roar Guru
Another ace from Halep and its match point. Too good. Clinical. Halep secures the match with the backhand winner! GAME SET AND MATCH HALEP Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Gajdosova has hit some splendid forehand shots tonight and there's another one for 15-30. Ace for 30-30 Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
15 all as Halep sends her backhand long Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Gajdosova has played some quality tennis in this match but Halep has just kept her level up for the whole match. Gajdosova not able to match it with her at key moments. Halep showing what it takes to crack it into the top 5. 15-0 Halep Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Halep secures another break with a forehand winner and one of the favourites for the Aus Open will serve for the match. Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK HALEP Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Break point Halep as Gajdosova misses the line again with the backhand Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Quality point from Gajdosova. Backhand doing the job there nicely. Good volley at the end. Game point Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Forehand just wide of the line and its back to deuce Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault and its 40-30 Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Ace from Gajdosova and its 30-15 Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
0-15 as Gajdosova sends the backhand long Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
She is just too good around the court Halep. What class with the forehand and her foot work and court coverage. She is going to be tough to beat. She holds Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Halep with a good serve out wide for 30-0 Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Good hold from Gajdosova and she stays in touch. Gajdosova 2 2 Halep 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Gajdosova with some strong forehand shots there for 40-15 Gajdosova 2 1 Halep 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault and its 30-15 Gajdosova 2 1 Halep 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
15-0 Gajdosova as she gets lucky with the backhand. Gajdosova 2 1 Halep 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Gajdosova getting frustrated now. Halep giving her nothing. Too solid and clinical at the moment. Halep holds with a great forehand down the line. Gajdosova 2 1 Halep 6 3