Woz Open

MELBOURNE, January 27 

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Caroline Wozniacki held firm to edge a brave Simona Halep in a classic Australian Open final on Saturday, claiming a long-awaited Grand Slam title after two heart-breaking near-misses. In a captivating tussle played out in stifling humidity, the Dane hung tough in a nerve-shredding final set to win 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 under the lights at a heaving Rod Laver Arena. She swiped Halep’s world No. 1 ranking in the process, six years after losing it at the 2012 tournament at Melbourne Park, the restoration having taken a record amount of time.

“I have to take a second to hug Daphne... it’s a dream come true, and my voice is shaking, it’s a very emotional moment,” a teary-eyed Wozniacki said, cradling the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at the presentation ceremony. “I want to congratulate Simona. I know today is a tough day and I’m sorry I had to win.” 

After closing it out when Halep netted a backhand, the overwhelmed Dane threw her racquet away and collapsed onto the blue hardcourt as the packed terraces roared. Following runner-up finishes at the 2009 and 2014 US Opens, it was third time lucky for the 27-year-old who saved match points in her second round match against Jana Fett.

Making the breakthrough in her 43rd Grand Slam appearance — only three players have needed more — Wozniacki will no longer be known as one of the game’s best without a Major success.

“Honestly, I think that’s one of the most positive things about all of this,” the second seed said. “I’m never going to get that question again.” 

Top seed Halep was gallant in defeat and at the end of an exhausting campaign, she came back from a break down in the final set to push within two games of victory.

But Wozniacki took full advantage of the fatiguing Romanian, claiming the last three games after some furious all-court play. “I was close again, but the gas was over in the end,” said twice French Open runner-up Halep, all class after her third Grand Slam final disappointment. 

“I’m still losing and I’m still waiting,” she added with a wry smile.  

On a steamy evening, Wozniacki’s edge in power told early as she roared to a 3-0 lead in the opening set before Halep could find her range.

She wobbled when serving for the set at 5-3 when a hollering fan broke her focus.

But she was commanding in the tiebreak, closing it out swiftly with a blazing shot that all but knocked the racket out of Halep’s hand.

The world No. 1 was on the back foot and suddenly dizzy, and she called a medical timeout to have her blood pressure taken after holding serve to 3-2 in the second set.

She then began grabbing at her left thigh after points, but somehow found the energy to break Wozniacki with a swashbuckling forehand down the line. Nothing would come easy for Halep, who saved further break points in a nervous service game before claiming the set with a risky dropshot that Wozniacki failed to deal with.

But Wozniacki feasted on her opponent’s weakening second serve, a fiery return pushing her 2-0 ahead in the decider. The grind of a long fortnight came to the fore as both players threw away serve, but Halep nudged 4-3 in front. It all looked grim for the Dane as a trainer strapped her leg at the change of ends, but she broke back before holding serve. Sensing her moment as Halep served for survival, Wozniacki fired a searing forehand winner to edge a 16-shot rally for match point and then held on grimly until the Romanian finally buckled. — Reuters

"I didn’t want to think too much about how it would feel to win before the match because that’s like in case I don’t, it’s going to hurt even more. But now I’m just so happy to have the trophy. As athletes we don’t enjoy the moments very long and I want to enjoy this one because it’s very special. I’m a Grand Slam champion, and that still seems crazy to say, but I’m also back to number one. I couldn’t have scripted it any better." — Caroline Wozniacki

"I can still smile. It’s fine. I cried, but now I’m smiling. It’s just a tennis match in the end. But, yeah, I’m really sad I couldn’t win it. I was close again, but the gas was over in the end. I did 100 percent what I could today. That’s why I can say that I’m not sad for that. I’m still losing and I’m still waiting (smiling). Maybe the fourth one will be with luck." —  Simona Halep

Men’s final 

Federer

• Age: 36
• ATP Ranking: 2
• Grand slam titles: 19
• Head-to-head: 8

Clic

• Age: 29     
• ATP Ranking: 6
• Grand slam titles: 1
• Head-to-head: 1

Last 2 meetings

• 2017 (ATP Finals, hard) Federer won 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1  
• 2017 (Wimbledon, grass) Federer won 6-3 6-1 6-4 

Road to final 

Federer

Rd 1: bt Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3 

Rd 2: bt Struff 6-4 6-4 7-6(4) 

Rd 3: bt Gasquet 6-2 7-5 6-4 

Rd 4: bt Fucsovics 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2 

Qf: bt Berdych 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4 

Sf: bt Hyeon 6-1 5-2 (retired) 

The defending champion has made short work of his opponents this year and has not dropped a set at Melbourne Park en route to a record seventh Australian Open final.

Cilic

Rd 1: bt Pospisil 6-2 6-2 4-6 7-6(5) 

Rd 2: bt Sousa 6-1 7-5 6-2 

Rd 3: bt Harrison 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(4) 

Rd 4: bt Carreno Busta 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6(0) 7-6(3) 

Qf: bt Nadal 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 2-0 (retired) 

Sf: bt Edmund 6-2 7-6(4) 6-2 

The former US Open champion has gone about his business in ruthless fashion to become Croatia’s first Australian Open finalist. The sixth seed will be fresh after two full days off.

Bops one win away

Rohan Bopanna is one win away from his second Grand Slam title. Bopanna and Hungary’s Timea Babos will clash with Gabriela Dabrowski and Mate Pavic in the final of the mixed doubles. In the semifinals on Friday, Bopanna and Babos beat Brazil’s Marcelo Demoliner and Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 7-5 5-7 10-6. Incidentally, Bopanna had won his maiden Major crown with Dabrowski last year. —PTI