Simona Halep’s breast surgery may just have saved her tennis career. The 22-year-old Romanian tennis pro has propelled herself to the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career, and many are thinking that her breast reduction has something to do with it.

Halep had the world junior number one spot and the Roland Garros girls title in 2008, but her career didn’t take off.

Halep underwent breast reduction when she was 18 years old and went from a 34DD to a 34C. Halep has already mentioned that the change in her body has had a positive impact on her game. She said that she is able to move better, has more speed, and her footwork is better. This month, she is ranked a career-high no. 4 seed in the world.

Simona Halep before her breast reduction

Halep’s breasts are no longer a hinderance

STUNNING PERFORMANCE: Simona Halep justifies her seeding by blasting way into semi-final https://t.co/mmh9jxv4k1 pic.twitter.com/sOOJQMnMtE

— Eurosport.com EN (@EurosportCom_EN) June 4, 2014

On Wednesday, Halep defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-2  to advance to the semifinal round.  Kuznetsova said, “She plays always very smart tennis. She doesn’t overpower you. She takes off the speed very well.”

“For me to be here it’s not a surprise, because I’m more confident now in myself,” said Halep. The tennis player is very happy to get the chance to play in the fourth round, but remains very focused on winning this year’s French Open title.

Last year, Halep was voted WTA’s Most Improved Player, and for good reason. Halep has won seven titles in the past 13 months, bested only by Serena Williams. Halep, however, won titles on hard courts, clay, and grass—the only player to do so within that period of time.

With her success at Roland Garros, it’s clear that Halep’s tennis career is on the upswing, and it may indeed be because of her breast reduction.

Halep will be facing Andrea Petkovic on Thursday. If she beats her, she will then face Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard, or Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.

Image via YouTube