No one is more relieved for the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany to be behind her than Simona Halep.
On Monday, she replaced Maria Sharapova as the No. 2 player in the world despite losing in the semifinals to Caroline Wozniacki. Halep, however, likely couldn't get out of Stuttgart fast enough after receiving death threats via Twitter from a Danish fan before her quarterfinals match against Sara Errani, AFP reported.
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The fan was believed to have sent several messages via social media.
"I can't comment on it. I am here to play tennis. Other people will take care of it," said Halep after her 6-4, 6-4 win over Errani in a tight quarter-final on the indoor clay court.
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AFP reported that Halep showed no sign of distraction; however, there were 16 breaks of serve in the 20-game match that suggest otherwise.
Tournament organizers beefed up security for Halep for the remainder of her time in the tournament. She did engage in a two-hour, 58-minute semifinal against the Dane Wozniacki before falling 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Halep has risen to No. 2 despite a pair of distractions during events this season.
Just prior to the start of the BNP Paribas Open in March, Halep's cousin, 29-year-old Nicia Arghir, hanged himself in his home office in the Romanian province of Costanta.
She put that tragedy behind her in winning the Indian Wells tournament, showing her mental toughness. But she may be forgiven for being a bit wary after this latest distraction. The question for Halep is whether she can turn the unfortunate events into an advantage if she feels she can play more freely without worrying about further distraction.
Halep next will play at the Madrid Open as she prepares for the season's second Grand Slam, the French Open beginning May 25.
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