Halep called for a timeout in the first set so her coach Darren Cahill could come down to the court to discuss strategy. "It was really important, because he just told me what I have to do. I knew that I had to change something, but I didn't realize what it was exactly," she said. "So it was a good chat. I did exactly what he said after that.".@Simona_Halep is first through to @BNPPARIBASOPEN quarterfinals!
— WTA (@WTA) March 13, 2018
Tops Wang 7-5, 6-1! pic.twitter.com/Wb7OmP6RdO
In other women's matches, eighth seeded Venus Williams survived a stern test from Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova to win 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 and fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova beat Amanda Anisimova of the USA 6-1, 7-6 (7/2).Simona Halep said it was her idea to come watch Serena and Venus last night. “I’m No.1 but I just watched the best player in the world. I can learn everything from them.” Thinks Serena should have been No.1 seed here because “that’s how she left.” #BNPPO18https://t.co/ems2N7PCh0
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 13, 2018
Halep needed just 76 minutes on the main stadium court to dispatch Wang as she won 64 percent of her first-serve points and broke Wang's serve seven times. Halep said she is happy with the way she is playing at this stage in the tournament. "I am confident. I am feeling the game," she said. Halep and second seed Caroline Wozniacki have taken turns being No. 1 this year with Wozniacki grabbing it after beating Halep in three sets in the Australian Open final and Halep winning it back just prior to Indian Wells.Venus. Williams!
— WTA (@WTA) March 14, 2018
She breaks on the point of the match! She will serve for the win! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/sulacdMpqv
Halep can hold onto the top ranking by reaching the final here. Halep won this event in 2015 and Wozniacki won it in 2011. Wang was the last Chinese player standing in the California desert, having achieved a career best result in Indian Wells by reaching the round of 16. Tuesday's quick victory came two days after Halep needed over two hours to eliminate American teenager Caroline Dolehide 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2. "The previous match was really tough for my body," said Halep, who missed some time this year with a right foot injury..@Simona_Halep shows off her ️⚽️ skills - and leave @Darren_Cahill in her wake! ?? pic.twitter.com/AdruXglcLJ
— WTA (@WTA) March 13, 2018
"I stayed so many weeks off with injury and now coming back, so I was a little bit tired. "I missed too many shots in the first set. And then I just got the idea of what I have to do to play against her, and it was much easier." Meanwhile, Williams survived a difficult fourth round test to beat Sevastova just one day after beating sister Serena for the first time since 2014 in Montreal. Williams, who is the oldest female player in the draw at 37, rallied back in the second set to book her spot in the quarter-finals..@KaPliskova edges Anisimova, 6-1, 7-6(2)!
— WTA (@WTA) March 13, 2018
Advances to @BNPPARIBASOPEN quarterfinals! pic.twitter.com/zjgiUs0AD4
She next faces either wild card Danielle Collins or world number 27 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. The 25-year-old Czech Pliskova blasted four aces and broke Anisimova's serve three times in the one hour, 32 minute match. Pliskova advances to the quarter-finals where she will face Naomi Osaka of Japan who beat unseeded Maria Sakkari 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.Venus. Williams!
— WTA (@WTA) March 14, 2018
She breaks on the point of the match! She will serve for the win! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/sulacdMpqv
