This Romanian May Be Short in Stature, But Tall on Talent

As a former junior world number one may be great pressure to bear on the WTA Tour, but Halep demonstrated in Marbella in April that he was willing to mix it with the games best players. Having come through three tough qualifying matches Simon continued to run in the quarter-finals with an impressive win against the always consistent Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic, and then over fellow countrywoman Cirstea before losing in a closely fought match heavy clay Düchting Flavia Pennetta. Halep impressed many in Spain, a week later qualified for the second tournament in Barcelona, falling in three sets with Carla Suarez-Navarro-former French Open quarter-finalist. Halep's confidence continues to grow today.

At the end of April Simona qualified again in Morocco, go to the finals against shows like veteran Patty Schnyder, moving her ranking within striking distance of the world's top 100 Roland Garros is the next and has qualified for her first Grand Slam event, the Romanian lucky draw Sam Stosur in the first round. She lost the match in straight sets, but Stosur goes to the finals in Paris, Simon knew that he was against more experienced opponents.

Halep rest of the year to gain experience and continue to tour, playing a mixture of ITF and gaining a qualification event wins top players, like Time Bacsinzsky and Elena Baltacha, and taking the former world number one Jelena Jankovic in 3 sets at the U.S. Open. During the season, a small Romanian teenager has improved its ranking in world's top 100, and will start in 2011 in a much better position. She will not have to qualify for as many events, save your energy for the main draws. Simon still has a lot to learn, but she definitely has the ability, power and work ethic to go far in the game. 2011 should be Halep is a breakout season, moving within the world's top 50 players. It will prove a formidable opponent for many, especially during the clay court season. Many of the world's best players will want to avoid her in the tournament's early rounds. Simon is only going to get stronger and more powerful. She has all shots and is definitely a potential Top 20 player in the coming years.