KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.—If anyone knows how to dig themselves out of a hole in the third set, it's Simona Halep. At the Miami Open on Thursday, the world No. 1 had to rely on her improved mental and physical toughness far earlier than anyone imagined against Oceane Dodin.
Despite what looked to be a dire situation while down 4-2 in the third set, the world No. 1 prevailed, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Staying in tough matches deep into third sets is something Halep is getting famous for doing: at the Australian Open, she pulled it off twice, against Lauren Davis and Angelique Kerber.
“Before maybe previous years I couldn't win the matches in the third set, so I'm really happy that I changed this to myself, and I feel stronger,” Halep said. “So when I go to the third set, I don't panic.
“I'm relaxed and I'm just fighting till the end, and I'm sure that I have a big chance to win the match, so I just go for it.”
Dodin, a lucky loser ranked No. 98, was incredibly fortunate to be standing on Stadium 1. The Frenchwoman had retired down a set in her second-round qualifying match to Alison Riske, and was headed to the airport when she was called to turn back.
Match point and on-court interview from Halep vs. Dodin:
