Most tennis fans regarded the 2018 #AustralianOpen semifinal classic between world number one #SimonaHalep and the resurgent #AngeliqueKerber as the best match of 2018. In this clash between the current world number one and former world number one, Halep prevailed in the outstanding encounter, which lasted two hours and twenty minutes, with a marathon 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 scoreline.
Halep, the top seed and huge favourite for the title, faced yet another tricky test in her Melbourne campaign having been brought the distance by the unheralded Lauren Davis (saving three match points) but steered past Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova in straight sets. Kerber, entering the semifinals with a 14-0 win-loss record in 2018, stormed past Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys and was in some red-hot form.
This will turn out to be an early battle between two women who would eventually end 2018 as the world’s top-two players. Kerber rebounded from a disappointing 2017 and looked to have sealed her comeback in style, although she failed to convert two match points as Halep roared straight back into contention, soaring into her maiden Australian Open final appearance.
Halep blasted 50 winners and an equal number of unforced errors, while Kerber’s numbers were relatively decent as well; hitting 33 winners to 34 errors. There were countless breaks of serves as they combined to convert 16 of 29 break point chances, and the German surprisingly dominated the net as she won all eight of her net points while Halep managed to claim just 11 of 18 such points. Halep’s impressive first-serve also played a pivotal role in helping her claim the win.
One of the best rallies you could ever find came at 5-3, 30-40 in the deciding set with Kerber falling to her knees in celebration after hitting an outrageous backhand winner out of nowhere. Both players looked to be playing some of their best tennis, with their attempts to be aggressive and their top-notch defence being well-balanced.
Halep storms to take the first set
Within a blink of an eye, it was the world number one Halep who powered herself to a stunning 5-0 lead after just a quick 13 minutes of action. The Romanian came out of blocks firing and made the best possible start, while it was completely disastrous for Kerber who just could not find her groove. The German claimed just five points within the five games and seemed to be totally overpowered by her stronger opponent.
Fortunately, Kerber spared herself some embarrassment when she produced a fantastic return game and broke back to love to get onto the scoreboard with a forehand passing winner. Rattling off 12 of the last 13 points, the competition was becoming more intense with the improbable comeback shaping up. However, she was unable to complete the miracle as Halep timely bounced back to take the first set 6-3 after just 25 minutes of play.
Kerber comes out of nowhere and produces the magnificent comeback
A quick exchange of holds started the second set, but it was Kerber who first let out a huge roar as a forehand winner helped her to level the scores at 1-1. She needed the fire within herself as a source of motivation and confidence, particularly after her disastrous start to the match. However, Halep was just playing at another level as some world-class aggression from the top-ranked player, which has been a notable improvement in her game, saw her breaking for a 3-1 lead in the second set.
Unexpectedly, the Romanian was unable to consolidate the break as Kerber came roaring back into contention with some great returns against the vulnerable second serves of Halep. Serving down 3-4, Kerber faced multiple break points but here came the turning point of the match: two flawless forehand down-the-line winners helped her fend off both break opportunities and remain on serve.
Halep let those missed chances affect her mind as she dwelled over those costly misses. Kerber was starting to get fired up, and she produced some clean winners to break for the 5-4 lead, alongside the golden opportunity to serve out the second set. For the first time in the afternoon, Kerber took the lead on the scoreboard, and she completed the stunning comeback with yet another series of strong forehands.
Halep escapes from the brink; closes out the classic victory
Riding on her momentum, it was Kerber who prevailed in a marathon, thrilling rally to grab the first break of serve in the deciding set in the opening game. Although Kerber displayed some world-class defence, Halep’s aggression proved to be too much as she fired an out-of-the-world backhand return winner to return level immediately.
We had to wait until the eighth game for the next breakthrough as Kerber’s game broke down under the pressure. Marathon rallies dominated the match, but it was Halep’s stamina and power which saw her earn a commanding 5-3 lead and edge closer than ever to the win.
Being two points away from the win, Halep saw her lead being pegged back as Kerber produced an unbelievable down-the-line winner at 30-30 en route to breaking straight back. The 26-shot rally was the highlight of the match, with both players looking completely exhausted by the end of the rally as Kerber broke back for 4-5.
Just when she had to serve to stay in the match, a narrow backhand miss saw Kerber gifting Halep two match points. The Romanian was unable to convert, though, as Kerber just elevated her level when it mattered. The 21st seed survived the tricky game and overcame the pressure, and it looked like the most crucial game of the match as Kerber gained the momentum from there.
A brave backhand down-the-line attempt backfired on Halep as she saw her lead evolve into a deficit, with Kerber serving for the huge win. Everything looked to be over when the German was up 40-15, and with Halep being fatigued, the situation seemed dire. Halep started to loosen her hands and go for the big shots, and her risk was ultimately rewarded as the scores returned level at 6-6 once again.
Quick service holds followed but it was Kerber who found herself in some deep trouble once again. Serving at 7-8, Kerber faced two match points once again, but this time she was unable to survive the incoming onslaught as she sent a tired-looking backhand way behind the baseline.
Aftermath: Both Halep and Kerber dominates the year
It was a terrific start to the year for both Halep and Kerber. The Romanian reached the final and although she came up second best against an inspired Caroline Wozniacki due to fatigue from her excessive time on the court. Nonetheless, Halep finally reaped the benefits of her hard work when she grabbed the Roland Garros trophy and consolidated her number one ranking.
Kerber lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish and returned to the world number two position after a stellar year of results. She is also one of the two players to have made the quarterfinals (or better) and three of the four Major tournaments this year, alongside Madison Keys.
What they said: Kerber reflects on missed chances, Halep delighted with her performance
It was quite obvious that both players left everything out on the court for such an amazing match to be played out. Kerber, who was dealing with the fatigue of her own, certainly felt the effects of her gruelling matches over the past weeks. “Yeah, I was feeling my legs, of course, already in the first set, but, you know, I think at the end I was just trying to give everything what I have left today. I was fighting until the last point, and I came back after the first set and also when I was, like, 3-5 down in the third set, and I think for me I was just fighting for every point. You know, you have days where you're not feeling good, but my heart was on court, and I think this is, for me, the most important thing that I put everything on the court.”
After starting the year in the best possible way, Kerber should only take the positives away from Australia after amassing a stunning 14-1 win-loss record throughout the month. “I mean, of course I had the two match points, but even I did two chances, she played good, so I couldn't do nothing. It was just a battle at the end. It's just one or two points which decides the match. For me, yeah, I mean, I gave everything. This is what I will tell myself in the next few days. And looking back what I achieved in the last three weeks, yeah, it was not so bad, I mean, when I looking back, like, four, five weeks ago, and somebody told me that I will win so many matches in a row, winning a title, being in the semis here, yeah, and still having the opportunity to win this match, as well. But I think I will just take the positive things from the last three, four weeks and I'm looking forward.”
Halep, after surviving the marathon and physically-draining match, was visibly tired and exhausted from the match but her spirits were lifted after grabbing the win. “Well, the confidence is very high. Also, the fact that I'm really tired is normal because I played so many matches. I spent so many hours on court. But, you know, I'm happy. In this moment doesn't matter anything. Just the fact that I won this match and I can play the final again.”
Being the first Romanian woman to ever reach the final at the Australian Open, Halep continued to record history and put her name on the record books. “I feel great. I feel nice that it's happening. I play another final. Is the third one. Maybe is with luck. We'll see Saturday. I feel happy. I feel proud that I could stay there and fight till the end. So it's a nice feeling. I'm looking forward for the last match of this tournament.”
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