SHENZHEN, China – No.2 seed Simona Halep unveiled an aggressive gameplan that helped her emerge victorious in a three set tussle with former World No.1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to advance into the second round of the Shenzhen Open.

Halep spent the off-season training in Australia with coach Darren Cahill, and appeared to be employing some of those improvements early on against Jankovic, launching into her forehand and looking to terminate rallies early and often.

Don't blink! ?@Simona_Halep flies through the opening set vs Jankovic 6-1! #ShenzhenOpen pic.twitter.com/Ik2jhlm5NA

— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017

Jankovic struggled through most of the 2016 season with various injuries, but has played some of her best tennis in China over the last few years, reaching a second straight final in Guangzhou last fall. The Serb took a 4-1 lead in the second set and didn’t look back, leveling the match at one set apiece.

Great anticipation from @Jelena_Jankovic! ? #ShenzhenOpen pic.twitter.com/nFHLAaYcqp

— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017

The pair exchanged breaks in the decider, and as Halep steadied she served out the match in just under two hours. Up next for the Romanian is either hometown favorite Peng Shuai or Katerina Siniakova.

.@Simona_Halep is moving on to the #ShenzhenOpen second round!

Battles past Jankovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/4HtTgwLzwI

— WTA (@WTA) January 2, 2017

More to come…