Madrid Open 2022 - Simona Halep sets up Ons Jabeur quarter-final after battling past Coco Gauff

Simona Halep set up a quarter-final clash with Ons Jabeur after battling past a spirited Coco Gauff. Gauff was the higher ranked player but by no means the favourite against her illustrious opponent, and Halep's experience showed as she tempered a fierce start from Gauff. Ad/> The youngster flew out of the blocks and held to love twice in her opening four matches, with Halep just about going toe-to-toe on serve to keep the score level.

WTA MadridBadosa emotional after Halep loss, Collins pays tribute to Andreescu — Madrid diaryYESTERDAY AT 21:45 But Halep was unwavering while an aggressive and spirited Gauff lost her rhythm in the ninth game, double faulting to hand Halep a break which she consolidated to take the set. Gauff returned in the second set and broke her opponent immediately to threaten a comeback. But Halep was steely in the face of Gauff's energy and electricity, and patiently waited for a chance to break back.

'Nadal is no longer number one' — Djokovic says son now prefers Alcaraz Osaka teases potential mixed doubles partner at Wimbledon — Madrid diary She took that chance at 4-1 down as Gauff double faulted three times, and then Halep took full advantage of her opponent's wavering forehand to reel off the next four frames to take the match 6-4, 6-4 in just under 80 minutes and set up a quarter-final with Ons Jabeur. Earlier on Monday, world no. 7 Jabeur — the highest ranked player left in the women's draw — battled through a brilliant encounter with Belinda Bencic to win 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 and book a place in the quarter-finals.