On clay, ranking goes out the window. It is the surface that challenges you like no other. It requires patience and physical fitness. It also requires you to endure beyond what you think you are capable of enduring. Clay is the surface that humbles you.
Simona Halep Ranked Outside Top 20
Simona Halep was once ranked number one, and she has won the biggest tournament on clay, the French Open. She also led their head-to-head [2:0], coming into this encounter. Unfortunately for American Coco Gauff, she could not sustain her play. That’s the thing about clay, you have to back up every game held more so than on the other surfaces, because a better clay court player will chip away until they find your weakness. Halep won 6-4, 6-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesCoco Gauff Struggling To Find Her Form
It has been a rocky start for the young American. She made it to one semifinal since the 2022 season begun; however, she has struggled with early round losses in most of the other tournaments she has contested. Should we be concerned? It is hard not to make comparisons, especially since she started off so hot. Gauff and her team may have to reassess her objective and weaknesses. I am sure they are doing that, but in the interim, other players are stepping up and having more consistent results.
Growing Pains For The American
It is difficult to assess the status of her game with all the upheaval going on in the world of tennis. Not to mention the age restrictions that impacted consistent play. She is sporting a support on her right arm. I hope it is nothing too serious. I was not expecting her to defeat Halep, but I hoped for a better contest. Then again perhaps this was expected after her previous match. She was quite emotional in that match, and I wonder how much she had left in the tank for today’s battle.
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