Halep: I didn’t wish Bouchard good luck

Madrid Open defending champion Simona Halep has said she did not wish Eugenie Bouchard good luck ahead of the Canadian’s second-round match against Maria Sharapova on Monday.

Bouchard beat Sharapova in three sets and afterward claimed she was inspired after receiving several messages of support from her fellow players ahead of the match.

Bouchard was one of Sharapova’s most vocal critics during the Russian’s return from a drug ban, saying she was “cheater” who should be banned for life from the sport.

Halep, however, was not one of the players Bouchard referenced.

“I didn’t wish good luck to Bouchard because we don’t speak, actually,” she admitted.

“She’s different, I can say. I cannot judge her for being this. I cannot admire her for being this. I have nothing to say about her person.”

Halep, meanwhile, advanced to the third round in Madrid with a three-set win over Roberta Vinci.

She faces Sam Stosur next, in a rematch of their Madrid semifinal from 12 months ago.