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Agence France-Presse

World number one Simona Halep set up an Australian Open final against Caroline Wozniacki after a thrilling 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 battle past former champion Angelique Kerber on Thursday.
In a see-sawing contest, Halep sprinted into a 6-3, 3-1 lead before the 2016 Melbourne Park winner, seeded 21, fought back.
The Romanian finally prevailed in two hours and 20 minutes with her fourth match point to ensure a new name will grace the trophy on Saturday.
“Definitely was very tough. I’m shaking now. I’m really emotional right now because I won this match,” said Halep, who saved two match points.

“I knew it was going to be tough. She is hitting from everywhere, I’m glad I could resist. Thank you everyone for supporting me, you helped me.”
Halep scampered to the first set in 25 minutes and, after dropping the second set against the run of play, squandered two match points in the third before saving two from Kerber as she served for the match at 6-5.
“I said if she came back I could do it. I had confidence in myself,” said Halep. “I tried to be calm today.
“It was a roller coaster, up and down. If you don’t give up you can win. I did it well. I am proud of myself.”

There was little hint of the drama to come when Halep, whose grand slam best is twice runner-up at Roland Garros, flew out of the blocks and dropped just three points in taking a 5-0 lead before Kerber woke up.
The German broke back twice to 5-3, before Halep, scampering and retrieving everything the double grand slam champion threw at her, regrouped and took Kerber’s next service game to seal the set in 25 minutes.
Caroline Wozniacki beats Elise Mertens in straight sets to reach Australian Open final
Halep was in front at 3-1 in the second but Kerber, who will get back into the top 10 after her run at Melbourne, would not give up and extended it to a decider.
The win sets up an intriguing final where a first grand slam title and the world number one ranking will be on the line for both Halep and Wozniacki, with the winner claiming both.

“I respect her a lot, and I know it’s going to be similar. I will have to run, so a very good rest after this match,” said Halep of facing Wozniacki who will also be in her third grand slam final and first in Australia.
“I want to give my best to believe that I have the chance to win and not to think about the title. If it’s going to come, it’s going to come.”
Roger Federer writes to ‘friend’ Rafael Nadal and wishes him a speedy recovery as hopes of Australian Open final rematch are dashed
Wozniacki beat unseeded Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to book her place in the showpiece clash. The final will be only the 17th time in Australian Open history that the number one and two seeds have met for the title – both first and second seeds have won eight times each.
The last time it happened was in 2015 when top seed Serena Williams beat second-seeded Maria Sharapova.


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Simona Halep outlasts Angelique Kerber to set the stage for a new Australian Open champion

Simona Halep (right) shakes hands with Angelique Kerber after progressing to the final of the Australian Open. Photo: AFP

epa06472542 Simona Halep of Romania in action against Angelique Kerber of Germany during the women's semifinal match on day eleven at the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 January 2018. EPA-EFE/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Tennis - Australian Open - Semifinals - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia, January 25, 2018. Angelique Kerber of Germany reacts during her match against Simona Halep of Romania. REUTERS/David Gray

epa06472635 Simona Halep of Romania celebrates after winning her women's semi final match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2018. EPA-EFE/TRACEY NEARMY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Sport

Tennis

The world number one digs deep in thriller to book a meeting with Caroline Wozniacki in the final


Simona Halep outlasts Angelique Kerber to set the stage for a new Australian Open champion

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The world number one digs deep in thriller to book a meeting with Caroline Wozniacki in the final

The world number one digs deep in thriller to book a meeting with Caroline Wozniacki in the final