World number five Simona Halep made a solid start to her Wimbledon campaign by overcoming Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in straight sets in the first round on Monday.
The 2014 semi-finalist earned a 6-4 6-1 triumph in just over an hour on the grass court at SW19.
Halep began on the front foot as she immediately broke Schmiedlova in the first set, and despite going another break up to take a 4-1 lead, her 21-year-old opponent showed some determination by breaking back.
The Slovakian broke again to draw the set level on 4-4, but Halep responded to eventually take the set and the momentum in the clash.
It was a simpler second set for Halep as she snatched serve three times before wrapping it up in just 24 minutes.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
