Final thoughts
Well, that was a pleasure to watch. An absolute ding-dong match that swung this way and that over the course of three thrilling sets. In the end, the world No1 Simona Halep had just enough to finally see off the challenge of Angelique Kerber, but in fairness, neither had much left in their respective tanks.
Halep goes through to a mouthwatering final against Caroline Wozniacki, with both players seeking to win their maiden grand slam title. Indeed, Wozniacki might just be as pleased as Halep at this point, given she was already out of the ice bath and lying on her hotel bed by the time the Romanian secured victory. The gruelling nature of that contest may yet have an impact on Saturday night’s match.
Thanks for joining us today. Another liveblog will be firing up shortly to take in the men’s semi-final between Marin Cilic and Kyle Edmund – make sure you stick around to tune into that one. But from me, it’s goodbye.
Here’s Simona, courtside: “I had confidence in myself. I said to myself I will fight for every point and have a big rest after the tournament.
“I tried to be calm but today I was like a roller coaster, up and down. If you don’t give up you can win the match in the end. I’m really proud of myself actually.
On the woman now standing in her way, Caroline Wozniacki: “I respect her a lot. I know it will be similar to today. I will have to run. It’s going to be a big challenge. Next round I just want to give my best. I’m not thinking about title. If it’s going to come it will come.”
Game, set and match: Simona Halep wins 6-3, 4-6, 9-7!
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 Kerber* (* denotes server): Halep does it! She’s into the final against Caroline Wozniacki! What a match. The pressure shows on Kerber this game, as the drops the opening point and then Halep launches a forehand winner to edge to within two points of the match. But she badly misjudges two returns of serve, both landing well out at the baseline, to let Kerber back in. Some of Kerber’s reaches on the next point frankly defy logic, but it’s not enough to prevent Halep bringing up a third match point. Kerber plays it beautifully though to stay in with a sniff. But on the fourth one, the writing is on the wall.
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 8-7 Kerber (* denotes server): They’re still slugging it out, no quarter given. It’s amazing that they can keep this level of tennis up after such a taxing match, which is currently clocking in at two and a quarter hours long (amazing to think that the opening five games lasted just 13 minutes). But they do, and Halep holds.
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 7-7 Kerber* (* denotes server): Halep puts doubts into Kerber’s head with a running volley at level at 15-15, but Kerber puts that out of her mind and hangs on to hold. How much longer can these players go?
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 Kerber (* denotes server): Both players were out of challenges but now we’re at six apiece, they’ve been reset. Halep holds, in a game lacking the drama of the last one. This has got 14-12 written all over it. (Cue a Halep break next game.)
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 6-6 Kerber* (* denotes server): Amazing scenes on Rod Laver Arena as Halep breaks back! It’s like two heavyweights out there, slugging each other, by the time of the final point. But Kerber will be kicking herself after digging deep (it must be fumes she’s running on now) and legging it all over the court to retrieve otherwise lost balls on the opening point, to good effect. She must get some energy from that, with the end in sight, and she goes on to bring up two match points. She’s long on the first and Halep is sensational on the second as she punches a running volley at the net into the open court!
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 5-6 Kerber (* denotes server): Halep’s turn now to face a break point... and she’s land the ball out! Advantage Kerber, who will now serve for a place in the final! Neither player has anything left in the tank, and the absence of that extra day of rest in between their quarter-finals and now is really showing now.
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 5-5 Kerber* (* denotes server): Extraordinary! This is riveting stuff! Kerber, exhausted from her efforts today, falls to 15-40 but manages to save both match points (the first one came after Halep made a successful challenge). They continue to pummel each other before Kerber eventually holds.
“The match of the tournament so far,” writes in Shankar Mony. “Reminds me of the classic Fed-Nadal matches that have a lot of build up and then live up to it. I suspect Halep will come through as she is fitter and Cahill is urging her to stay more aggressive.”
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 5-4 Kerber (* denotes server): The tension is palpable and Kerber does it! She breaks back to get the third set back on serve! She pulls a forehand winner right out of top drawer to level at 30-30 and then another to bring up break point. A sensational rally follows that ends with Kerber, virtually on her knees, somehow mustering enough energy to hit a backhand winner!
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 5-3 Kerber* (* denotes server): Halep takes this game to Kerber on the first point and it works, as she hits a winner before Kerber is wide on the next. The score then blows out to 0-40 and Halep has three chances now to take this match by the scruff of its neck. She can’t convert on the first, but she does on the second! The world No1 will now serve for a spot in the Australian Open final! So, yeah, that was a handy time to break. Question is, can she handle the pressure?
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 4-3 Kerber (* denotes server): Oof, what a backhand, crosscourt, from Halep on her way to another held service game. Now would be a handy time for the world No1 to break, come to think of it.
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 3-3 Kerber* (* denotes server): Slug, slug back, slug, slug back. This is brutal tennis. Kerber holds and there’s still nothing to separate this pair.
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 3-2 Kerber (* denotes server): Halep grinds down Kerber more than anything else in this game and it’s beginning to look like the player whose fitness holds will be the one to face Caroline Wozniacki in Saturday’s final.
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 2-2 Kerber* (* denotes server): The shadows reach the halfway point across the Rod Laver Arena court as Halep races out to a 30-0 lead on Kerber’s serve but she can’t sustain the momentum and the German holds. They look knackered and it’s no surprise really, given the ding-dong nature of this contest so far.
Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 2-1 Kerber (* denotes server): Kerber is unsuccessful with a challenge on game point for Halep, and the Romanian holds for the first time this set. Both players are exhausted, but during that game it looked like Kerber was out on her feet. She certainly needs the sit-down at this changeover.
Third set: Halep 6-3, 4-6, 1-1 Kerber* (* denotes server): But what’s this? Halep digs deep and somehow gets into a position where she has three break point opportunities! Alas, she can’t take any of them as Kerber battles back to deuce. The Romanian gets another one though and a brilliant backhand second-serve return winner down the line pulls her back on level terms! Superb resilience on show from the world No1!
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Third set: Halep* 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 Kerber (* denotes server): Halep has the ball in her hand again but you just get the feeling the momentum is with Kerber at this point. And so it proves. The German gets to break point, and what a break point it is – the point of this match and possibly the tournament so far. It’s a 24-shot rally that includes everything, including a Kerber drop shot, and one which leaves both players on their knees. Kerber wins it though, and she’s ahead early this third set.
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Angelique Kerber wins the second set 6-4!
Second set: Halep 6-3, 4-6 Kerber* (* denotes server): Here we go then. A third set it is! Halep shows her grit as she saves two set points but her hope proves short-lived as Kerber takes a third chance to level at 1-1! This is turning into a right humdinger, which is rather surprising given how the opening five games panned out.
Second set: Halep* 6-3, 4-5 Kerber (* denotes server): Wow, Halep claws back to 30-30 with a pair of wonderful shots, the first off her forehand, the second off her backhand, both booming winners. She then challenges a line call successfully but can’t capitalise as Kerber hits a rare drop shot that leads to her drawing level at deuce. And the German goes on to break, at a crucial point this second set! She’ll now serve for it and level things up at one set apiece!
Second set: Halep 6-3, 4-4 Kerber* (* denotes server): I was just about to write that the power on Halep’s shots is waning, but then she goes and delivers two booming winners to bring up break point. She’s clearly got sone juice left in the tank. As has Kerber, who saves it with a forehand winner of her own, a feat she repeats a point later when facing a second break point. And the German goes on to hold in what was a big, big game. As is this next one now as we reach squeaky-bum time in this second set.
Second set: Halep* 6-3, 4-3 Kerber (* denotes server): Halep turns to her serve for some comfort and she finds it. The Romanian holds to love and one can only hope that helps loosen her up.
Second set: Halep 6-3, 3-3 Kerber* (* denotes server): Both players trade points, but it’s Halep who is looking a bit tight in her shotmaking. Kerber breaks free at 30-30 thanks to a big forehand winner that she celebrates with a huge roar. She knows that’s a big point. And so it turns out to be, as the German wins the game on the next point, Halep’s challenge to a baseline call coming in vain.
Second set: Halep* 6-3, 3-2 Kerber (* denotes server): With the chance to open up a three-game buffer, Halep wobbles and goes 30-0 down but she steadies the ship and levels when she races to the net to put away an attempted drop shot from Kerber. Her next serve forces Kerber well wide and the return is out, but she can’t continue in that vein and Kerber goes on to bring up break point, which she takes! And we’re back on serve!
Second set: Halep 6-3, 3-1 Kerber* (* denotes server): Oof, there is one of those big shot I was talking about. Halep unleashes a howitzer from the baseline to kick things off this game and she uses that as a launchpad to reach break point. She can’t capitalise this time though and sends a regulation backhand long. But Kerber hands her another chance on the next point when she finds the net and this time, the Romanian gets it, as Kerber is long at the end of a thrilling point. Advantage Halep in this second set!
Second set: Halep* 6-3, 2-1 Kerber (* denotes server): There’s a baby in the stands that can be heard at stages throughout this game, but these women don’t blink – they’re utterly focused on one thing only. Halep double faults to start this game, but she rediscovers her radar soon enough and holds. There’s also some massive hitting going on, from both players, at the moment. Great to watch.
Second set: Halep 6-3, 1-1 Kerber* (* denotes server): Better from Kerber, much better. Any fears she would lapse back into First Five Games Angie are allayed as she holds. There’s a moment where it looks like she may let it slip again, but she holds her nerve and serve, letting out a big shout as she secures the game.
Second set: Halep* 6-3, 1-0 Kerber (* denotes server): So, Halep, with the ball in her hand, gets the second set under way. And it’s impressive stuff again from the world No1, a forehand winner, two aces and an unforced error from Kerber doing for the German. So is that her blip over with then? Honestly, who knows?
Simona Halep wins the first set 6-3!
First set: Halep 6-3 Kerber* (* denotes server): Kerber’s comeback eventually runs out of steam and it turns out a five-game deficit was indeed too much to overturn. She’s broken again, easily, by Halep, who claims a weird, see-sawing opening set. Who knows what the second will bring.
First set: Halep* 5-3 Kerber (* denotes server): Wow, she’s not going to pull it back from 5-0 down, is she? Kerber is sensational this game, landing returns at will and blowing Halep off the court to break her serve again! The Romanian has won just one point in the last three games now and is rocking.
First set: Halep 5-2 Kerber* (* denotes server): Something’s clicked with Kerber. Her game is all of a sudden unrecognisable to how it was two games previously. She’s her dominant self once more, although it still might be too late to save this set. Amazing how things can turn round in tennis. And the pressure really is now on Halep, who must not let this set slip now.
First set: Halep* 5-1 Kerber (* denotes server): Here we go then. Halep reels off two double faults to kick this game off and she never recovers. Kerber breaks to love and gives an indication, a small glimpse, that Halep’s intensity will have to be maintained over the course of this afternoon.
First set: Halep 5-0 Kerber* (* denotes server): Halep is relentless. She brings up three break points and takes it on chance No3 to move to within a game of the first set. Blistering stuff. And just 13 minutes on the clock! It’s a whirlwind out there on Rod Laver Arena.
First set: Halep* 4-0 Kerber (* denotes server): I’m struggling to keep up with this, such is Halep’s scintillating tennis. She’s reels off another service game and this set is heading for a swift conclusion if it continues in this fashion.
First set: Halep 3-0 Kerber* (* denotes server): Well, well, well. This is not going at all to plan for Kerber. The German is yet to get going. By contrast, Halep is purring like a well-oiled sports car. She breaks again and Kerber’s in real trouble. Of course, this being grand slam tennis, it’s not terminal and the pendulum can swing in the blink of an eye, so yeah, there’s that.
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First set: Halep* 2-0 Kerber (* denotes server): This couldn’t be a better start for Halep, who serves out easily enough to open up an early two-game buffer against the 2016 champion.
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First set: Halep 1-0 Kerber* (* denotes server): Well, this first service game for Kerber doesn’t go entirely to plan. Halep puts the pressure on right from the off and manages to break on the first of two break points! Cracking start for the Romanian.
OK, the players are nice and warm and we’re ready to go. Kerber to serve first.
Here’s an early match report on Wozniacki’s earlier win:
So to today’s second semi, and it’s the kind of grand slam semi-final the word blockbuster was invented for: top seed and world No1 Simona Halep takes on former top ranked player and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber. Both players scorched into today’s clash with double-quick quarter-final wins and an intriguing encounter between two of the best women’s players on the planet awaits.
It’s a tough one to call on current form and even their head-to-head gives no indication of favouritism – they’ve played each other eight times in total and split victories 4-4. They’ll be on court in a tick, having been slated to start “not before 2pm”. It’s now 2:05pm local time, so there shouldn’t be too much delay. Don’t go anywhere!
Here’s Wozniacki in her on-court interview: “It means so much to me. I got really tight at 5-4, a couple of double faults. I felt like hitting against the wall.
On her semi-final defeat to Li Na in 2011, when she squandered a match point and went on to lose: “That was definitely on my mind out there today. I tried to stay calm and I was lucky to get a win.
“Normally, I am really calm. Once I start to feel nervous, my legs start shaking.”
On her potential opponent in the final – either Simona Halep or Angelique Kerber: “They’re both amazing players, fighters and athletes. It’s going to be difficult.”
Game, set and match: Caroline Wozniacki wins 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)!
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 6-6 (2-7) Wozniacki: This time Wozniacki holds her nerve and she wins through to her first Australian Open final! Wow, she did her best to make it as dififcult as possible, but she got there in the end! She wraps up the tie-break, and the match with a backhand winner.
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 6-6 (2-5) Wozniacki: Mertens responds with a winner on her serve before she hammers a running volley past Wozniacki to pull back to 2-3. Her backhand then finds the net and a forehand service return lands in the tramlines to leave her on the precipice.
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 6-6 (0-3) Wozniacki: Mertens gifts Wozniacki the first point of the tie-break with another unforced error before the Belgian’s forehand lets her down and the ball sails wide of the mark. Wozniacki’s serve then kicks in and she’s got a three-point cushion already.
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Second set: Mertens 3-6, 6-6 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Wow. What a game this is. Wozniacki is a completely different proposition – what on earth has happened? It’s the tension. The confidence, the serve, the shotmaking, they’ve all disappeared and Mertens is there, having hung on in there earlier, to capitalise. She brings up two break points, but wait! It’s not a done deal! Wozniacki shows her mettle, it’s still there, and she saves both! She manages to bring up game point, but she double faults and we’re at deuce again. They trade points and finally after four deuces, Wozniacki manages to hold. Tennis. Bloody hell.
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 6-5 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Wow, how the pendulum can swing in a tennis match. Wozniacki was cruising to victory a few games ago, but now the picture isn’t quite so clear. Mertens is reinvigorated and it shows in this service game. All of a sudden she’s in control, acing and firing a winner on the way to taking the lead at 6-5!
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Second set: Mertens 3-6, 5-5 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Oh no! The jitters kick in after Wozniacki starts this game with an ace. Another booming serve sees her go 30-0 up but then... disaster! She’s wide of the mark on the next point before a double fault elicits a few tennis groans from the crowd. Mertens then fires a forehand winner back past her and the Belgian has break point! She takes it and this one is NOT over yet!
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 4-5 Wozniacki (* denotes server): You’ve got to give Mertens credit here. She’s in the process of being outclassed, and perhaps overawed on the biggest stage of her career, but still she manages to hold, to love no less, and ensure that she stays in it for at least another game. Can Wozniacki now seal victory on her own serve though?
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 3-5 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Yep, Wozniacki marches towards a place in the final, another grand slam final, with a service game to love that she makes look utterly easy. Mertens now has to serve to stay in the match.
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 3-4 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Mertens hangs in there for now. She holds, but with Wozniacki serving like she is at the moment, it’s difficult to conceive how she will allow this one to go to a third set now.
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 2-4 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Wozniacki’s serve, so vastly improved of late, doesn’t let her down as she confirms that break to love. She’s following every point with an understated “c’mon”, and appears incredibly focused on the task in hand. Mertens has a mountain to climb here.
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 2-3 Wozniacki (* denotes server): That’s much more encouraging from Mertens, who wins the opening two points of this game by making Wozniacki work a bit harder. But she allows the No2 seed back into things with a couple of unforced errors (22-8 she leads in that count now). Another makes it 23 and Wozniacki has a chance to break. A 24th – a weak forehand into the net – hands the advantage to the Dane on a plate! And those encouraging signs are a distant memory.
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 2-2 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Mertens is off-target on the opening couple of points, paving the way for Wozniacki to hold. She loses just the one point – her first on serve for quite a while. Still on serve after four games this second set.
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 2-1 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Mertens holds. She’s hit five winners this set, compared to her opponent’s two.
Second set: Mertens 3-6, 1-1 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Mertens blinks first in a lengthy rally to hand Wozniacki a 30-0 lead. An ace follows and then Wozniacki wraps up another game as Mertens can only find the net on the next point. All pretty regulation stuff.
Second set: Mertens* 3-6, 1-0 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Billie Jean King in the house! And the tennis royalty watches on as Mertens falls to 15-40 after some poor serving. She manages to save both though, as the serve clicks back into action, before going on to hold. She needed that.
Meanwhile, here’s some classic Magda Szubanski sporting action to enjoy. The intensity!
Caroline Wozniacki wins the first set 6-3!
First set: Mertens 3-6 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): First blood to Wozniacki! It’s taken just 38 minutes and the No2 seed is one set up. She wins this game to love and, after the opening couple of games in which Mertens held her own and didn’t seem fazed, the far more experienced Wozniacki is beginning to flex her muscles. Mertens is just 22, remember.
First set: Mertens* 3-5 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Mertens makes Wozniacki think on a few points this game, but a Wozniacki backhand service return to make it 40-30 is pure instinct. Mertens then double faults – her first of the day – to take the score to deuce and let the Dane back into the game. A set point soon follows but she’s long at the baseline and the chance is wasted. A huuuuge serve – that is clocked at 181kph – swings the pendulum back towards the Belgian, and she manages to hold.
First set: Mertens 2-5 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Magda Szubanski, aka Sharon from Kath and Kim (among many other great roles), is spotted in the crowd. Love that woman. A couple of Wozniacki winners sees her hold again, and she’s now just a game away from the first set.
First set: Mertens* 2-4 Wozniacki (* denotes server): This is a big game for both players, but they’re made to wait as some corporate types, complete with shopping bags full of freebies, take their time on route to their seats. The cameras focus on the group in an attempt to shame them into never repeating this. When play does get under way, Mertens does well to hold and hang on in there.
First set: Mertens 1-4 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Wozniacki confirms that break, but she has to fight for it in the end, and stave off a break point on the way. Mertens proves she’s not going to be a pushover with the way she comes back into this game, although she has no answer to a Wozniacki backhand when the chance to break presents itself. Wozniacki goes on to hold with an ace and she’s got a three-game lead under her belt.
First set: Mertens* 1-3 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Oh dear, a first wobble for Mertens as she plays a forehand long to give Wozniacki two break point chances. The No2 seed takes full advantage after another unforced error off the Belgian’s racket.
First set: Mertens 1-2 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Wozniacki looks good here, as she pulls back from 15-30 down to hold once more. On the final point, the Dane volleys at the net to seal the deal, and we’re still on serve this opening set.
Here’s more from Wozniacki on that 2011 semi-final defeat to Li Na. “That one really hurt. I’ve lost from match points up and won from match points down before but that one was a special one. I went on a roll after that and won a bunch of tournaments in a row but at the same time it was still that one match that was still hurting. That’s still haunting me till this day so I’m hoping for a different result this time.”
First set: Mertens* 1-1 Wozniacki (* denotes server): Oof! Mertens fires down a second-serve ace at 15-0, you don’t see that often, and the Belgian carries on to complete a solid enough opening service game. Meanwhile, I’m going to keep a count of how many times her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters is mentioned by the telly commentators today.
First set: Mertens 0-1 Wozniacki* (* denotes server): Ready? Play. And we’re off. Wozniacki’s comfortable on her opening two service points before Mertens plays a fantastic forehand winner from a ball that lands right at her feet, forcing her to just punch through the shot. Wozniacki gets herself into game-winning position on the next though, and after coming to the net on the next, the Dane’s up and running on the scoreboard.
These two have played each other just once before – Wozniacki won that encounter, a semi-final on the clay of Bastad 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 last year.
The toss: Wozniacki calls heads... tails it is. And Mertens says she’ll receive first, while Wozniacki opts for the end where the sun won’t be in her eyes when she serves first.
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OK, the players are on their way onto court. It’s 27C in Melbourne today, obviously hotter on the court than that, but by no means unbearable and, dare I say it, perfect conditions for a spot of tennis. The heat will ratchet up as the rest of the week progresses, peaking on men’s final day on Sunday with 37C forecast.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to women’s semi-finals day at Melbourne Park! And what a lineup it is on Rod Laver Arena, which will host the current world No1, two former world No1s and one of the most in-form players of the moment over the next few hours. We’ll be covering both matches, so strap yourself in and settle down for what promises to be an entertaining afternoon of tennis.
Elise Mertens, ranked 37 and unseeded at her first Australian Open, appears to be the odd one out in this quartet, but her blistering form this Aussie summer, during which she won the Hobart International and downed fourth seed Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, has marked her out as a real contender for the title. She should not be underestimated.
Her opponent first up on Rod Laver, Caroline Wozniacki, is unlikely to do so. The second seed is keen to make amends for blowing her chances of reaching the final in 2011, when she failed to take a match point in the second set before losing the semi-final to Li Na. Wozniacki, who is still searching for a maiden grand slam title, says it’s a moment that still “haunts her”. So, yeah, she’s probably going to be pretty focused on victory here today.
More on today’s second semi-final later on, so all that’s left to say before the players hit the court is, please feel free to get in touch on email or, if time and words are short, on Twitter @mike_hytner. The opener is due to get under way at 2pm local time in Melbourne, that’s 3am GMT and other times across the world depending on where you’re tuning in, so don’t go anywhere.
Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, in case you missed it, there’s been this:
