Top-ranked Halep brimming with confidence heading into US Open

Simona Halep, her number one ranking secure and a Grand Slam title on her resume, is riding high heading into the US Open but that doesn't mean she's taking anything for granted.

"I don't feel the pressure," said the 26-year-old Romanian, whose intensity on the court hasn't always worked to her advantage.

A victory in the French Open -- after disappointments in three Grand Slam finals -- confirmed for Halep that she had truly arrived at the top.

"Inside myself something changed," she said.

"I'm more relaxed. These two were my dreams -- to be number one in the world and to win a Grand Slam. Always I say number one in the world without a Grand Slam, you are not a real number one.

"After the French Open, I really started to believe that I'm a real number one."
"I'm just looking forward to playing my first one. If I win it, I will focus on the next one, just like that."
"Eventually, I'm going to get her," Stephens insisted. "Hopefully, it will be soon."
- Tough draw -
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"It's a very tough draw for sure," Halep said. "Last year I lost in the first round, so it cannot be worse than that. I feel confident. I feel that I have the game to win against her, but she's very dangerous."