Simona Halep tops Makarova in Madrid opener

Romanian No 1 WTA Simona Halep defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 6-0 in the first round of the Madrid Open.

The Romanian’s debut took place under an injury cloud after her exit in Stuttgart at the hands of Coco Vandeweghe in her second match. But Halep brushed off the topic in her post match conference saying she had had a lot of treatment.

“I don’t have problems any more. I had a lot of treatment. I took care of my leg,” Halep said. “It was actually coming from the back. I always have little issues with my back, so I know how to treat it.”

“I think it was a great match,” she said of her first round win. “I played really well. Of course, maybe she didn’t play her best, but she’s always tough to play against. It was a good match and a good start,” Halep said after the match.

This is Halep’s 13th straight win in Madrid. “I was moving great. I felt the game. I like to play on this court. Always when I come back here, I feel a little bit more relaxed, so maybe that’s why I can touch my best level every time I play. Hopefully, I can keep it also for the next round.” She will next meet fresh Rabat champion Elise Mertens, WTA’s No. 19.