Caroline Wozniacki beats Simona Halep in thrilling final
Wozniacki wins first Grand Slam title 7-6 3-6 6-4
Dane regains world number one ranking
Both players needed treatment
Heat rule applied after second set
#bbctennis
Matt Phillips: It’s not blistering in here like it was last Friday in the 41C, but it’s very humid and there is not a breath of wind. Air feels dead. I’m sure Halep and Wazniacki are appreciating the break. Bring on the decider!
Halep 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 0-0 Wozniacki*
The players are back on court at Rod Laver Arena.
"Time" is called. This thriller is about to get restarted.
Image source, EPAHalep 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 0-0 Wozniacki*
A cracking couple of sets so far, but who will take the decider?
Up for grabs... a first Grand Slam title, the world number one spot.
No pressure.
#bbctennis
Neil Leverett: Real guts from @Simona_Halep, external but is 10 minutes long enough to recover? Superb quality on show considering brutal conditions
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Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
There's no sun!
Halep 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 0-0 Wozniacki*
So, the players will get a 10-minute breather as the heat rule looks to have been applied.
Much-needed for both of them, you'd feel (and for me...) it's been a bruising encounter so far.
A set apiece.
Image source, AFP
Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Such incredible fight from Halep to take that set. She's not feeling well but she's shown such unbelievable mental toughness.
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 Wozniacki
Superb from Simona Halep. She takes the second set!
Image source, Reuters*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
Simona Halep pulls it back to deuce.
More saves here than my mum in the Boxing Day sales.
The Romanian fires in a punchy serve for set point.
Can she take it?
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
Set point saved again by Wozniacki, and now Halep goes long.
The Romanian challenges, but that's out and it's break point Wozniacki.
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
Just long!
That was there for the taking, but Halep flops a forehand from midcourt beyond the baseline.
Her next serve is a big. Too big for Wozniacki to muster a return.
Second set point.
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
The second is saved too.
Halep gallops into the net and summons every bit of strength left to pop a powerful forehand winner into the space vacated by Wozniacki.
And now she turns it around to set point.
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
A loose, lethargic backhand from Halep drifts long.
Three break points.
She saves the first with a superb serve and backhand winner.
*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
Now it's Wozniacki's turn to attack, and the last thing Simona Halep wants to do is run.
The Dane toys with her opponent, dragging her one way and the next before finding the winner.
30-0.
Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
Halep is definitely struggling but it's not really affected her game other than a bit of sluggish footwork.
She's still swinging hard and going for winners.
Wozniacki is not looking that fresh herself after that tense first set. She didn't get across quite as quickly as she normally would in that game.
Image source, Reuters*Halep 6-7 (2-7) 5-3 Wozniacki
Inch-perfect!
Halep leans back and pops a precision winner on to the far line with a flowing forehand that Wozniacki just watches on by.
She breaks.
Halep 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Wozniacki*
Powerful from Halep, leaping into a forehand winner but limping away and clasping her right leg.
She has two break points though, as Wozniacki rattles the net with a slapping forehand.
Halep 6-7 (2-7) 4-3 Wozniacki*
Aggressive from Simona Halep, she's going all out on the Caroline Wozniacki serve and the Dane looks a little surprised to see the ball heading back at her with such oomph.
The world number one overcooks a baseline stroke, though, and that's 15-15.
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Melbourne Park
Will it be nerves, fatigue or physical conditioning that will be the big factor in this final?
Image source, EPA