Simona Halep calls her last Dubai meeting with Ons Jabeur "crazy."
The Roman is ready for more magic and madness when they square off in the quarterfinals.
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In an all-Romanian showdown, Halep defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2 to set up a Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quaterfinal clash vs. Jabeur.
Earlier, the eighth-seeded Jabeur stopped American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-1.
Two years ago, Halep dug down deep fighting off a match point to out-duel Jabeur 1-6, 6-2, 7-6(7) in front of a frenzied crowd in Dubai. The two-time Grand Slam champion is prepared for another punishing test in their rematch.
"As I said on court, hopefully again we don't play three hours and a half," Halep said. "It was a crazy match. Good because I won it. Actually was very physically. Was not easy.
"Also, yeah, actually the crowd helped us to go through, to fight till the end. So I'm expecting a very tough battle tomorrow, but that's why I'm here. I'll try to recover and give my best again tomorrow."
Jabeur, who withdrew from last month's Australian Open due to a back injury, has been sharp in Dubai. Halep highlights two essential element's to the 10th-ranked Tunisian's success: Fine feel and fierce fighting qualities.
"I think she's very talented," Halep said. "She feels that ball so well. She's moving well. I think she feels tennis. That's why she's able to win important and good matches.
"Also she's a fighter. This helps a lot at that level."
Photo credit: Florin Baltatoiu