Simona Halep will be seeking out her first win over Venus Williams when the pair play in the most visually engaging of the third round matches from Rome. After a surprising early loss in Madrid to Alize Cornet, Halep got her clay court season back on track with a comfortable 6-3 6-0 second round victory over Alison Riske. Halep lost just four points on her first serve during the match and only ten points in a one-sided second set. Halep will be eager for matches to prepare fully for the French Open, which starts in just ten days time. Playing against Venus will be a pretty substantial test. Venus’s clay court form has never been anything to write home about, but she has begun this tournament in impressive form.
Venus backed up her victory over Katerina Siniakova in the first round with a straight sets win over Elina Svitolina, 6-4 6-3. Venus was majestic on serve in the first set, dropping just four points in five service games. It got a little scratchy in the second set as Svitolina competed well. However, Venus’s power always looked to be too much for the 20-year-old. Svitolina will need to improve her serve if she’s going to keep moving up the rankings as it was butchered at times by Venus.
Venus has won all three previous matches against Simona. Venus won back-to-back matches on clay in 2012 with victories in Madrid (6-1 4-6 7-6) and Rome (6-3 6-4), and then won their most recent encounter in Tokyo, another three setter where Halep led by a set before falling, 4-6 7-5 6-3. Since that last match in 2013, I think both players are at a higher level but particularly Halep, who has gone up, up and UP to the number two spot in the rankings. Venus’s power can trouble Simona, but the Romanian player has shown on many occasions this year that she can keep a cool head if things aren’t going exactly to plan. Halep’s versatility and shot selection will be crucial if she is to come through this match and reach the quarters…
Prediction: Halep d. V.Williams in 3 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
My head says Halep but my gut says Venus
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My heart says Venus, but my head says Halep. All of these body parts! Lol
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My head, heart and soul say Vee.
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Quite frankly I don’t like the idea of Halep playing doubles at Rome,I understand it does help your singles play,maybe after Madrid,she felt she needed more match play? it will be a tough match for Halep,though I will stick with her to get her first ever win over Venus.
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I hope Venus wins tomorrow . She is moving well and coming to the net.
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Venus in 3 I think. She has been super competitive and I think she will give Halep a lot of problems.
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I’m going for Venus coz she’s a gangsta
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Lolololol True! Go Vee!
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Gangsta? Isn’t that a little racist?
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How is that racist lol. It is if u take it that way. Come on gangsta V roll her
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Well I can’t see what possible reason you have for calling her a gangster unless it’s because she’s black?
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Like I said it’s how u perceive it. There are Asian gangstas too u know, hispanic gangstas, etc. lol
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Really hoping it will be V but I like Halep as well… I just want V to win one last big title!
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She has just done that a long time ago…
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Venus in 3. I can see all the happy faces 😄
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Yep, very happy. 😀
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In R2 Simona seemed to be playing with confidence again. Lots of winners & not many errors – she looked good. She’ll need to bring it against Venus but I’m confident she will – 2 tight sets.
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that was quick,lol
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now it‘s a romanian quarter after Dulgheru took Makarova.it should be interesting
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Well done Simona,you played perfect clay court tennis in defeating Venus,keep this great form up.
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