By Erik Gudris/Tuesday, January 21, 2014

 

Dominika Cibulkova reached the final four of the Australian Open in dominating fashion over Simona Halep of Romania.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Shouting her now trademark yell of "Pome!" at every chance she could get, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia posted a comprehensive straight sets win to reach the Australian Open semifinals.

Having beaten No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova in the last round, Cibulkova found herself taking on No. 11 seed Simona Halep in the quarterfinals.

The prize for the winner - a first ever trip to the semis in Melbourne.

But it was the more experienced and animated Cibulkova who took hold of the match early. Halep could do little to stop Cibulkova from jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead. Both women struggled to hold their serve from the sunnier side of Rod Laver Arena, but Cibulkova held onto her advantage and closed out the set 6-3.

Cibulkova kept up the pressure by breaking Halep again to start off the second set. Halep continued to find few answers against the heavy, deep hitting of her opponent. That allowed Cibulkova to roll out to a 5-0 lead.

Cibulkova showed no quit as she soon served out the match to complete the 6-3, 6-0 win in just one hour.

The stats tell most of the story as Cibulkova struck 17 winners and 16 unforced errors. Halep had only nine winners but 25 unforced.

This is the second Grand Slam semifinal for Cibulkova who reached the same stage at the French Open in 2009. Cibulkova credited her past experience in major quarterfinals with helping her get the victory.

"I would say a hundred percent because I already experience this and that is the most important," Cibulkova said. "I know what to expect. I knew how to react on the court and I did everything perfect today."

Next up for Cibulkova is the winner of the Victoria Azarenka versus Agnieszka Radwanska match later today.