Romanian tennis star Simona Halep has qualified for the semifinals of the Wuhan tournament in China, after beating American Madison Keys 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday, September 29.

The match between Halep and Keys lasted only one hour and nine minutes. Up next for the Romanian player is either Czech Petra Kvitova or British Johanna Konta.

Following her Thursday victory, Simona Halep has also booked her ticket to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore, becoming the third woman to qualify behind Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams, WTA announced.

"I knew before the match that I'd qualify if I won today. I'm really happy that I did it. It's amazing to be playing three years in a row in Singapore. I hope this year I do better than last, that I enjoy my time on court, and that I'm happy, because when I'm happy I play well,” Halep said.

Simona previously played the WTA Finals in 2015 when she was eliminated by Polish Agnieszka Radwanska, and in 2014 when she played the final against American Serena Williams.

Romania’s tennis ace Simona Halep aims to become world’s number one

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com