PARIS, France - Two-time French Open finalist Simona Halep put down a comprehensive performance to defeat American wildcard Taylor Townsend, 6-3, 6-1, to reach the third round at Roland Garros and win her 30th match of the season.

"It was really tough even if the score looks pretty easy," Halep said in press. "Her balls were really tough to return, because of the topspin and the forehand, it's really, really hard. She's a lefty, as well, so I couldn't return my best way."

Halep was on court for the second day in a row after her first round match against Alison Riske had been postponed to Wednesday, and though she suffered a slow start in that match, the Romanian showed no ill effects against Townsend, racing out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set.

Townsend, who won the USTA 2018 Roland Garros Wildcard Challenge to earn her spot in the main draw, has shown flashes of brilliance at this event in years past, upsetting AlizĂ© Cornet en route to the third round back in 2014.

"She was defending my short cross with the backhand so well. She mixes everything, and it's really tough to find one rhythm. I tried to stay focused. I got pissed a little bit sometimes, but it's normal when you play with a player so handy and talented. I just tried to not rushing the balls, not rushing to finish the points."

The American broke Halep as she served for the opening set but the top seed was undaunted, breaking straight back and losing just one more game to ease over the finish line in 68 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

"In the end all that matters is if you win or not, so I won and I was really happy that I could finish also the first set and also the second set in that way.

"I feel that I was much stronger in the second set. After three, four games I started to feel that I am there. So I can feel everything now."

Up next for Halep is a rematch of her 2014 French Open semifinal clash with a resurgent Andrea Petkovic. Halep leads their head-to-head 7-0 on the tour level, though their last four matches have gone three sets. The former World No.9 continued her run of impressive form by defeating former WTA doubles No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands in straight sets earlier in the day.  

"I expect a tough one, because she's hitting all the balls and playing flat. So it's gonna be tough. She's fighting until the end. She never gives up. I will do the same.

"I remember that she's running very well, and that match was something like in the tie-break," she added of her 6-2, 7-6(4) win over Petkovic in Paris. "So I will expect a tough one, and I will watch a little bit of that match and to see what I have to play, but normally I will keep my game."