Halep in 'a good spot' as she sets up last-16 Cornet clash
-
Palestinians turn to local soda in boycott of Israel-linked goods
-
Typhoon Man-yi bears down on Philippines still reeling from Usagi
-
UK growth slows in third quarter, dealing blow to Labour government
-
Chris Wood hits quickfire double in NZ World Cup qualifying romp
-
Markets struggle at end of tough week
-
China tests building Moon base with lunar soil bricks
-
Film's 'search for Palestine' takes centre stage at Cairo festival
-
Oil execs work COP29 as NGOs slam lobbyist presence
-
Gore says climate progress 'won't slow much' because of Trump
-
'Megaquake' warning hits Japan's growth
-
Stiff business: Berlin startup will freeze your corpse for monthly fee
-
Wars, looming Trump reign set to dominate G20 summit
-
Xi, Biden attend Asia-Pacific summit, prepare to meet
-
Kyrgios to make competitive return at Brisbane next month after injuries
-
Dominican Juan Luis Guerra triumphs at 25th annual Latin Grammys
-
Landslide win for Sri Lanka president's leftist coalition in snap polls
-
Australian World Cup penalty hero Vine takes mental health break
-
As Philippines picks up from Usagi, a fresh storm bears down
-
Tropical Storm Sara pounds Honduras with heavy rain
-
Pepi gives Pochettino win for USA in Jamaica
-
'Hell to heaven' as China reignite World Cup hopes with late winner
-
Rebel attacks keep Indian-run Kashmir on the boil
-
New Zealand challenge 'immense but fantastic' for France
-
Under pressure England boss Borthwick in Springboks' spotlight
-
All Blacks plan to nullify 'freakish' Dupont, says Lienert-Brown
-
TikTok makes AI driven ad tool available globally
-
Japan growth slows as new PM readies stimulus
-
China retail sales pick up speed, beat forecasts in October
-
Asian markets fluctuate at end of tough week
-
Gay, trans people voicing -- and sometimes screaming -- Trump concerns
-
Argentina fall in Paraguay, Brazil held in Venezuela
-
N. Korean leader orders 'mass production' of attack drones
-
Pakistan's policies hazy as it fights smog
-
Nature pays price for war in Israel's north
-
New Zealand's prolific Williamson back for England Test series
-
Mexico City youth grapple with growing housing crisis
-
After Trump's victory, US election falsehoods shift left
-
Cracks deepen in Canada's pro-immigration 'consensus'
-
Xi inaugurates South America's first Chinese-funded port in Peru
-
Tyson slaps Paul in final face-off before Netflix bout
-
England wrap-up T20 series win over West Indies
-
Stewards intervene to stop Israel, France football fans clash at Paris match
-
Special counsel hits pause on Trump documents case
-
Japan's Princess Mikasa, great aunt to emperor, dies aged 101
-
Cricket at 2028 Olympics could be held outside Los Angeles
-
Trump names vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. to head health dept
-
Ye claims 'Jews' controlling Kardashian clan: lawsuit
-
Japan into BJK Cup quarter-finals as Slovakia stun USA
-
Sri Lanka president's party headed for landslide: early results
-
Olympics 'above politics' say LA 2028 organisers after Trump win
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | 100% | 61.84 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.24% | 24.55 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.75% | 13.27 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.57% | 140.35 | $ | |
| GSK | -2.09% | 34.39 | $ | |
| AZN | -0.38% | 65.04 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.31% | 60.43 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.02% | 24.725 | $ | |
| BTI | 0.2% | 35.49 | $ | |
| NGG | 0.4% | 62.37 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.37% | 45.95 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -4.71% | 6.79 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.23% | 13.21 | $ | |
| BCE | -1.38% | 26.84 | $ | |
| VOD | -0.81% | 8.68 | $ | |
| BP | 1.65% | 29.05 | $ |
Halep in 'a good spot' as she sets up last-16 Cornet clash
Fit-again Simona Halep said she was in "a good spot" and feeling no pressure as she stepped up a level to crush the Australian Open dreams of Emma Raducanu's conqueror Danka Kovinic and power into the last 16 on Saturday.
The two-time Grand Slam winner drew on all her experience to sweep past the 98th-ranked Montenegrin 6-2, 6-1 and ensure her participation in the second week for a fifth consecutive year in Melbourne.
She will now play French veteran Alize Cornet, who celebrated her 32nd birthday by beating 29th seed Tamara Zidansek 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on the back of her stunning upset of world number three Garbine Muguruza in round two.
The Romanian Halep is on her way back after a calf tear scuttled her mid-season in 2021 and saw her briefly fall outside the top 20 for the first time since 2013.
"I feel great physically, first of all. Mentally I'm confident and also strong, I would say," said the 30-year-old as she targets a first title at Melbourne Park, having lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 final.
"I'm feeling the game, feeling joy out there. I think that helps me to be positive and to be confident that I have a chance every time I step on the court.
"I feel I'm in a good spot. I really trust that I can play good tennis here. I feel that the pressure is off."
Halep came into the tournament buoyant after her first title in 16 months at the Melbourne Summer Set and was always in charge against Kovinic, who upset US Open champion Raducanu in round two.
Seeded 14, Halep has been in good form this week, dropping just nine games in her opening two matches, and carried that into her clash against the 27-year-old Kovinic.
She raced through the first set and broke early again in the second to steamroll through to a showdown with Cornet, who battled back from a set down in her match.
"It was mostly about survival," said Cornet, who is appearing in her 60th consecutive Grand Slam main draw, the WTA's longest active streak and third longest in history.
"It's definitely a very, very special victory being back in the second week 13 years after my first second week at the Australian Open. It's quite special.
"The day of my birthday, I mean, what else can I ask for?"
E.Flores--AT