Simona Halep has admitted that she is more than up to the challenge of beating Victoria Azarenka in their quarter-final showdown at the US Open.
The Romanian secured her place in the last eight when she came from behind to defeat Sabine Lisicki in round four, and now faces Azarenka, who has beaten her in both of their meetings in 2012.
Halep told reporters: "I think I played against Victoria in Doha, she beat me like 6-4 6-3 (6-3 6-1). I am a different player now compared to then. I am stronger physically and I am stronger mentally. It will be a new day and a new match. Everything is different.
"I believe that I can win the match, so I have to stay positive, try everything I can to win and play my game, be aggressive and play fast.
"I know she is going to fight hard because she is a fighter. But we are both tired, we both are in the quarter-finals. The US Open is the last Slam of the year, so is normal that we are more tired."
Halep faces Azarenka in the last eight on Wednesday.
Simon Sinclair
