Former world number one Simona Halep emphatically dispatched unseeded Petra Matric 6-1 6-1 in Wednesday’s quarter-finals at the Indian Wells Open.

Halep landed 75 per cent of her first-serves and won those points at a rate of 82 per cent (27/33).

Martic’s serve commanded much less respect, as she landed 69 per cent of her first-serves, but only won 36 per cent of those points (8/22).

After holding in her first service game, Martic allowed Halep to rattle off six consecutive games, with three double-faults assisting her Romanian opponent.

With the win, Halep booked a semi-final match-up against Polish number three seed Iga Swiatek after she prevailed in her meeting with American Madison Keys in similar fashion.

Swiatek was off the court in less than an hour as she only conceded one game in the 6-1 6-0 thrashing.

In a well-rounded performance, Swiatek won 71 per cent of her service points (32/45), and an even more impressive two-thirds of her return points (24/36).

Speaking with the media post-match, Swiatek said: “I think [Halep] is playing great tennis right now. She’s basically really consistent —- I don’t know how many unforced errors she did today, but I think less than 10. She’s in great shape, it’s going to be a great match. For me, it’s going to be a test to see how I’ve improved.”

(dpa/NAN)