Halep to start with new coach in Miami against Townsend

After having no coach for most of 2019, Simona Halep has announced that she will be working with Daniel Dobre.

"I have a Romanian coach, someone I’ve worked with before, even during my time with Darren," she said at the Miami Open. "[Dobre] and I worked before Darren as well, so he knows me pretty well, and I feel happy with this decision."

After splitting with Darren Cahill at the end of 2018, the Romanian collaborated with Thierry Van Clememput briefly after the Australian Open until the conclusion of the Qatar Open. But since then, she has been competing without a coach.

During her partnership with Cahill, Halep won her maiden Slam title at the 2018 French Open and finished as year-end world No. 1 in both 2017 and 2018.

The Romanian is hopeful that she can reach new heights with Dobre, too.

"I need to feel a connection, inspiration. You always want a coach with the best technique, but after 20 years of playing tennis, you can’t change much technically or tactically. For me, the most important thing is connection."

The world No. 2 has a bye in the Miami Open first round and will face Taylor Townsend. The American qualifier has endured a rollercoaster to get to round 2, but seems to have found her groove.

She'll try to throw Halep off with her left-handed crafty game style on Friday.