Expecting Little, Simona Halep Takes a Major Step

Photo Simona Halep, the No. 2 seed, after beating Sabine Lisicki in three sets to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the first time. Credit Adam Hunger/Associated Press Simona Halep is the No. 2 seed at the United States Open, and she entered her round of 16 match with more hardcourt victories this year than any other woman in the main draw, compiling a 35-5 record.

But she had never reached the Open quarterfinals until Monday, when she escaped a sloppy match on the scorching Louis Armstrong Stadium court with a 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-2 victory over 24th-seeded Sabine Lisicki.

Halep joined Kristina Mladenovic, who upset No. 13 Ekaterina Makarova in a match that ended early Monday, as another…