Serena Williams vs. Simona Halep: Score, Reaction from 2016 Indian Wells

There will be a new champion on the women's side of the BNP Paribas Open this year.

Defending champion Simona Halep was simply no match for world No. 1 Serena Williams at Indian Wells on Wednesday. The American needed only two sets to dispatch of the 2015 event winner, 6-4, 6-3. Andrew Jerell Jones of SB Nation weighed in on the quality back-and-forth between the two competitors:

"

Simona Halep came into this match on her top form, but the legend, Serena Williams, adding another highlight to her still growing catalog.

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) March 17, 2016"

According to the BNP Paribas Open website, Williams notched seven aces compared to Halep's one. What's more, the overpowering American won 81 percent of her first-service points and was simply too much for Halep throughout the two sets. 

It is a testament to Williams' greatness that Halep is the No. 5 seed in this tournament and the defending champion, and it would have registered as a major upset if she had knocked off the American.

It was also fitting that Williams advanced to the semifinals over Halep considering she bowed out in last year's BNP Paribas Open's semifinal against her with an injury. While it shouldn't take anything away from Halep's 2015 title, the fact that Williams was not a healthy obstacle certainly helped her win at Indian Wells.

Both players tallied early breaks in the first set and found themselves tied at two games apiece. Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times commented on the early errors:

Williams eventually found a groove and established a 5-2 lead, but Halep battled back to within 5-4. However, Williams closed the set out with a critical break to make it 6-4. Jones remarked on the opening set:

"

Quality enough first set in the semifinal that didn't happen last year, 6-4 to Serena for a place in the semis vs Aga Radwanska.

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) March 17, 2016"

Rothenberg echoed similar sentiments:

The WTA shared the final point of the set:

Halep hung with Williams in the opening few games of the second set and earned praise from Courtney Nguyen of WTA Insider in the process:

However, Williams used her trademark power to grab the lead, via WTA:

From there, Williams moved ahead 5-2 and eventually served for the set and match. She took advantage and captured the second set, 6-3, to advance to the semifinals. 

What's Next?

Williams will square off with Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals. Radwanska earned her opportunity against the American by knocking off Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 and has plenty of momentum on her side.

However, that will likely end against the world's No. 1 player. 

According to SteveGTennis.com, Williams holds a dominant 9-0 lead in head-to-head showdowns against Radwanska, and the last six alone were in straight-sets fashion. 

Between her head-to-head record against her foe and her overall ability, Williams should have the mental edge coming into the semifinal showdown. What's more, she is likely laser-focused on earning a title in the BNP Paribas Open after she had to withdraw last year. 

Radwanska is probably just the next opponent standing in her way.

Post-Match Reaction

Williams discussed playing at Indian Wells for the second year in a row after her win, per BNP Paribas Open:

Halep kept her head up following the loss and was already looking ahead, per WTA Insider:

Williams was also looking ahead to her semifinals match with Radwanska, per WTA Insider: "This is a good surface for her because it's a slow surface. I expect there will be a lot of long rallies."

The surface may test Williams against Radwanska, but she looked like someone set to win a title at Indian Wells on Wednesday. 

Stats courtesy of BNPParibasOpen.com.