After not being able to record decent outings in the French Open as well as the Wimbledon this year, world no 2 Simona Halep will be looking to clinch the second final of her grand slam career by getting past Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the US Open 2015 semi-finals.
The Romanian, who was the finalist in the French Open last year, as well as the quarter finalist in the Australian Open this year, showed enough determination to hand a defeat to former world no 1 Victoria Azarenka in the women's singles quarter-finals game at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old notched 40 winners against just 19 unforced errors, as she won 6-3 4-6 6-4 over the big-hitting Belarusian.
Halep's semi-finals opponent Pennetta has been on a different level altogether. The 26th seeded tennis star made Italy proud after she, along with her compatriot Roberta Vinci, reached the last four of the US Open this year. The 33-year-old Pennetta showcased a valiant effort as she got past world no 5 and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova in the quarter finals on Wednesday.
The Italian came back from a set down to win the next two sets to record a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 against the Czech. Pennetta has now reached the last four of the US Open two times in the last three years.
And a win against the world no 2 will help her reach the first Grand Slam finals in her career. "Of course I'm really, really happy. It's something incredible. Before the tournament I never think to be so far in the tournament, so it's something special," Pennetta said. "It's something amazing for me in this moment."
Halep, meanwhile, has mentioned that the lack of expectations and pressure has helped her reach so far in the tournament, and play good tennis. And she is looking forward to winning the semi-finals and set up a clash with either top seed Serena Williams or Vinci.
"I knew when I started the tournament that I have a good game. I feel great and I have good mentality coming in this Grand Slam. I had no expectations, no pressure. So that's why I'm playing so good," the 23-year-old said.
"It's a great feeling now that I can be in the semifinals, and of course I want to fight to win it. But we will see. I expect a tough match. It's tough. I know her [Pennetta]. She's very smart on court. She's fighting. I know that she never gives up," Halep added.
Flavia Pennetta vs Simona Halep starts just after the conclusion of the first women's singles semi-final clash between Serena Williams and Roberta Vinci, which is scheduled to start at 7pm local time (4:30am IST, 12am BST) at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Where to Watch Live
Indian audience can watch Day 11 of the US Open Live & Exclusive on Ten Sports, with the option of live streaming on tensports.com.
UK audience can catch up the action from the US Open on Sky Sports, and stream the matches Live on Sky Go.
US viewers can watch the match on ESPN, with the live streaming option on Watch ESPN.
Australian audience can catch the action on Fox Sports, with live streaming option on Foxtel Play.
