Kerber is next for Halep in Australian semi-final clash

Simona Halep is ready for another marathon after defeating Karolina Pliskova to set up an Australian Open semi-final against Angelique Kerber today.

World No 1 Halep has had a rollercoaster ride in Melbourne, suffering an ankle injury in the first round and then surviving three match points before beating Lauren Davis 15-13 in the deciding set in round three.

Halep and Kerber, the 2016 champion, are two of the fastest and best athletes on court and long rallies are guaranteed when they face each other.

“For sure it’s going to be a second marathon this tournament,” said Halep after her 6-3, 6-2 victory over sixth seed Pliskova. “But I’m used to that. I know her pretty well. I know she’s a very strong opponent. She likes it here.

“But I started to like this tournament. After two years in a row losing in the first round, now it’s a better result. Now I’m just trying to give everything I have and to play the best to win it.”

This is Halep’s best performance in Melbourne and the 26-year-old is feeling right at home thanks to her Australian coach Darren Cahill.

“I like the conditions,” she said. “I like the people. They are very relaxed. They inspire me just being cool. If something is wrong, we will have a beer, like Darren says, in the evening, then tomorrow is a new day.”

Pliskova said: “I think it was huge the game to go a double break up. It would most probably be my set. I think she just plays always good against me, so I don’t know where is really the problem. I need to change something maybe for next time.”

The first quarter-final was a similar clash of styles and again it was the counter-puncher who came out on top, and even more emphatically, with Kerber blasting to a 6-1 6-2 victory over Madison Keys in just 51 minutes.

The German, who endured such a miserable 2017 after her brilliant 2016, is now guaranteed to return to the top 10 and extended her winning streak to 10 matches.

She said: “I have a lot of confidence and belief in my game, because I start the year good. That gives me a lot of confidence coming here. Also all the memories, of course.

“I will never forget the memories I had in 2016 here, so that’s why I feel so good. And I know all the places in Melbourne where I can go for a coffee or just when I have a day off. This gives me a lot of confidence to be here and playing my best.”

Today’s other semi-final sees second seed Caroline Wozniacki go up against unseeded Elise Mertens.