Tennis: Simona Halep sees off injury-stricken Petkovic to reach last 16 in French Open

Romania's Simona Halep celebrates after her victory over Germany's Andrea Petkovic at the end of their women's singles third round match on day seven of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis on June 2, 2018.

PHOTO: AFP

Paris (AFP) - Top seed Simona Halep eased to a 7-5, 6-0 victory over German Andrea Petkovic to reach the French Open fourth round on Saturday (June 2).

Petkovic struggled with a right knee injury in the second set as Romanian Halep moved into the second week at Roland Garros for the fourth time.

The 26-year-old world number one, runner-up in Paris in 2014 and 2017, is still looking for her first Grand Slam title.

Halep, who had been shunted out to Court 18 for the match with Petkovic, will face Australian Open semi-finalist Elise Mertens next after the Belgian 16th seed beat Daria Gavrilova.

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