Halep beats nerves to beat Frech

A nervous Simona Halep overcame Poland’s Magdalena Frech in 90 minutes to claim a 6-4, 6-3 victory in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Halep, who won the Melbourne Summer Set 1 singles title last week, broke Frech’s serve seven times in the match but she also struggled on her serve.

“The first match is always tough,” Halep said after the match.

“I was very nervous. But I’m really happy with the way I played, with the way I’ve been on court. Going through to the second round makes me happy.

“I feel like in the big picture, [it] was a good game for the first match. It’s always tough. I’m always nervous. But also she didn’t play that bad. She was playing well.

“She (Frech) was running very well. She was moving well. I think was a good match and I take only the positives.

“I don’t believe I am at the highest level, my highest level, like in the past. But I feel good. I feel confident that the game is there, the movement is there. The mental is pretty strong.”