Australian Open 2018: Simona Halep battles past Angelique Kerber to reach final
SIMONA HALEP outlasted 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in a three-set battle to reach her first Australian Open final.
Simona Halep saved two match points to battle past Angelique Kerber
Simona Halep put a stop to an Angelique Kerber fightback and saved two match points to reach her first Australian Open final with a 6-3 4-6 9-7 victory over the German.
A wildly unpredictable match veered one way, then the other, before Halep finally broke Kerber's resistance to claim victory on her fourth match point when her exhausted opponent fired a backhand over the baseline.
When Halep won the first five games it seemed the expected battle royal between two of the game's most ferocious competitors would turn into a damp squib.
But Kerber roared back and had two match points at 6-5 in a brutal deciding set before Halep turned it around with some brave hitting to seal victory in two hours and 20 minutes.
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Speaking courtside, Halep said: "It was very tough.
"I'm shaking now, very emotional. She's a very tough opponent, moving well, hitting from everywhere. I'm really glad I could win this match.
"I try to be very calm. Today was like a rollercoaster, up and down, but I didn't give up. If you don't give up, you can win the match in the end."
"I had just confidence in myself.
"I decided after I twisted my ankle (in the first round) that I would fight for every point in this tournament and then I would rest. I didn't give up, not even a ball. If you don't give up you can win the match in the end.
"I did it and I'm really proud of myself."
The 26-year-old will play Caroline Wozniacki in Saturday's final when both players will be gunning for their first Grand Slam title and the world No 1 ranking.