Simona Halep offers assessment of her form after reaching Wimbledon semifinal

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Former world No. 1 Simona Halep admitted she didn't really know what to do toward the end of her Wimbledon quarterfinal match versus Amanda Anisimova but was glad she was able to escape with a 6-2 6-4 victory. Halep had a 6-2 5-1 lead but then things got complicated for her as Anisimova cut the deficit to 5-4 and had three consecutive break points to fully get back into the second set.

However, Halep found a way to save those three consecutive break points and close out the match in two sets. "I played a tough opponent today. She could crush the ball in the end and I didn't know, actually, what to do. But I just believed in myself.

I said I have to stay there, strong on my legs. They helped me today," Halep said, per The Tennis Podcast.

"I played a tough opponent today. She could crush the ball in the end and I didn't know, actually, what to do. But I just believed in myself.

I said I have to stay there, strong on my legs. They helped me today." pic.twitter.com/ma7Po7iT08 — The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 6, 2022

After the win, Halep was asked if she is playing her best tennis since winning 2019 Wimbledon.

Halep agreed this is the best tennis she has been playing in the last three years. "Yep, definitely I struggled a lot last year, and now I am trying to build my confidence back. The tennis is here, so now I have just to believe.

I start to do that, and it feels good," Halep admitted.

Q: Is this the best tennis you've played since winning W?

Halep: "Yep, definitely ... I struggled a lot last year, and now I am trying to build my confidence back. The tennis is here, so now I have just to believe.

I start to do that, and it feels good." — The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 6, 2022

Halep set to meet Elena Rybakina

Halep now has a favorable semifinal matchup as she will be battling next 23rd-ranked Rybakina.

Halep and Rybakina will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their respective careers when they meet in the Wimbledon semifinal. When Halep and Rybakina clashed for the first time in Wuhan three years ago, Halep retired while 5-4 down in the first set.

At the start of the 2020 season, Halep recovered from a set down to beat Rybakina in Dubai. In their third meeting - which came at the US Open last year - Halep earned a three-set win. It remains to be seen if Halep can clinch her third win over Rybakina.