Simona Halep benefiting from no expectations

Halep won through to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows for the first time in her career thanks to a 6-3 4-6 6-4 win over former world number one Victoria Azarenka.

The Romanian 23-year-old - a finalist at Roland Garros last year - spoke about having no expectations in New York prior to Wednesday's quarter-final showdown, despite her lofty standing in the women's game.

That continues to be the case for Halep, who is a win away from a second grand slam final, and she believes she is benefiting from her care-free approach since losing in the first round at Wimbledon.

"I'm looking forward for the next match to enjoy the semi-finals. It's first time when I play this," Halep told reporters with Flavia Pennetta next up in the final four."I knew when I started the tournament that I have a good game. I feel great and I have good mentality coming in this grand slam. I had no expectations, no pressure. So that's why I'm playing so good."It's a great feeling now that I can be in the semi-finals. I want to fight to win it. But we will see. I expect a tough match.

Halep - 45-11 on tour this season - added: "After Wimbledon I said that the year is finished for me. I cannot win a match. So I took the pressure off of myself. I was going home, relaxing. I didn't touch racquet for almost four weeks."I wanted just to forget about tennis, about official matches. I just wanted to come back with the pleasure on court and taking just, you know, the fun.

"Because that's why I played mixed [doubles] here, to have fun and to refine the pleasure during the official matches. And after I lost in Wimbledon, I said that that's the worst thing. Cannot be like worse than losing in first round in a grand slam. I went there with expectations in my mind. So that's why I change my mind now, and I feel much relaxed."