Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The No. 2 Simona Halep says she has recovered after losing against Flavia Pennetta in the semifinals at the US Open. The Romanian has played very well outside of the majors, but she has been unable to hoist the trophy.

This week, she is playing Guangzhou International Open, and perhaps she will grab another title, currently owning 11 trophies.  But against Pennetta, she played mediocre and that stung, given that she had a real shot to win the tournament on her beloved hard courts.

During the summer, the 23 year old lost early against Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but she looked extremely fast and at times aggressive, to reach the finals of Toronto and Cincinnati. She took out the former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals of the US Open and it looked like she was ready to swing away, but she didn’t against Pennetta. Now she is almost backed to square one. But she doesn’t feel that way.

“Of course I take positive things – I had about 16 matches played on hard courts this summer, and I’m happy with my results here at the US Open,” she said.  “I’m happy I could reach the semifinals for the first time – it’s the best Grand Slam for me this season. So I really don’t take any negatives away with me. I just want to rest a few days and then start again playing matches and tournaments.”

Halep will play a packed schedule. She will play Guangzhou International, the Premier 5s in Wuhan and Beijing, and then the WTA Final in Singapore.

She might be able to play No. 1 Serena Williams, who won a match against the American in the Round-Robin at 2014 Singapore. She could face Pennetta again, or go up against Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova in Wuhan.  On the hard courts, she has been worthy at the big events – except the majors. But if she beats the best in the next five weeks, then maybe next year, she will final triumph at a Grand Slam.

“I feel really positive these days. I can win the tough matches. I’ve beaten top players,” Halep said. “I’m confident, and I know I have a chance to play my best tennis at these next.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.