Barcelona (Spain), Apr 12: Simona Halep of Romania ousted defending champion Roberta Vinci from the Barcelona Open on Tuesday, and sixth-seeded Petra Cetkovska also lost in the second round.
Halep broke five times to secure a 6-1, 6-3 victory in just over an hour against the fourth-seeded Vinci, who had also won the outdoor clay tournament in 2009. It was the Italian's second loss in 17 matches here.
"I knew it would be a difficult match but I tried my best and am very happy how it went," Halep said. "The first match back on clay was tough for me this week, but I've improved day by day. I'm feeling great."
Halep will play Carla Suarez Navarro in the quarterfinals after the Spanish player beat Cetkovska 6-2, 6-4.
Seventh-seeded Sara Errani of Italy won the first 11 games en route to beating Estrella Cabeza Candela 6-0, 6-2.
Sorana Cirstea of Romania advanced when eighth-seeded Polona Hercog of Slovenia retired due to dizziness after losing the first set 6-4.
