Halep ends Mertens' win streak in Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Double-defending champion Simona Halep extended her Mutua Madrid Open winning streak to 14 in a row, surviving an in-form Elise Mertens, 6-0, 6-3.

The World No.1 has made it to the final at the Caja Magica in three of the last four years, taking a 13-match winning streak into the second round this week. That streak was put to the ultimate by Mertens, winner of the Samsung Open presented by Corner in Lugano and the Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Rabat.

With two Fed Cup wins in between, the Belgian was riding a 13-match winning streak of her own, setting the stage for an intriguing clash on Court Manolo Santana.

"I knew she's coming with a lot of confidence," Halep said after the match. "I had to start very strong and aggressive, which I did. After I played few games, I felt really good on court. I felt very confident that I can win that match."

Halep responded with the form that allowed Ekaterina Makarova just one game on Sunday, rolling out to a 6-0, 3-1 lead before Mertens, suffering from a GI illness that forced her to withdraw from doubles - could sink her teeth into the match.

"I think I played well again. It's the second match of the tournament. I have a great feeling. It was a nice match, and I take it like an important one because I played against a girl that won two tournaments on clay so far this year."

Once the Australian Open semifinalist did, however, the match truly became something to see, particularly in the last game as Mertens saved four match points with scintillating play.

Ultimately the top seed proved too strong, ending the match after one hour and 11 minutes behind 23 winners to just 18 unforced errors.

"It's another year. I'm older one year. I have more experience, for sure. But you never know in tennis. You have to take day by day and match by match. At this level, everyone is playing really good tennis, really good level of tennis.

"I have just to go there and to be focused, to be motivated to win every match I play, and to wait and see what is going to happen. I don't want to expect anything. I just want to enjoy and to believe that I have my chance to go through the end."

Up next for Halep is Kristyna Pliskova, taking on the Romanian for the second straight year in Madrid, but for the first time in the third round. Halep is yet to lose a set to Karolina's twin sister.

"I remember I played against her. I know that it was a difficult match. She's serving pretty strong. Her forehand it's very strong. I have just to watch a little bit how I played last year and to do it again.

"I have confidence. I believe that I can win the match. But I always expect a tough one, and everything can happen during a tennis match. I will be just concentrated on what I have to do, just believe that I can win."