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World number one Simona Halep will face Serena Williams in round four of the Australian Open after beating the American’s sister Venus.
The Romanian looked off the pace in her first two matches in Melbourne and required three sets to get past both Kaia Kanepi and Sofia Kenin.
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However, she was in much better form on Saturday as she put on a dominant display against Venus to wrap up a 6-2 6-3 victory.
Halep managed to break the American on six occasions and has to be regarded as a serious contender for the title, although she will need to find a way past the other Williams sister on Sunday.
“It’s been a great match. I’m really happy with how I played. Of course it’s always a challenge to play against the Williams sisters so I was super motivated today,” Halep said.
The world number one has lost her last four meetings with Serena and admits it won’t be easy to correct that record, but insists she is eager to try and rise to the challenge.
She added: “I have just to enjoy, to give my best. I have nothing to lose, I play against a great champion. It’s a big challenge but I’m ready to face it.”
