Summary

  • 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

  1. Postpublished at 08:49 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep 1-3 Wozniacki*

    Wozniacki loops a response into midcourt and Halep sends it back with interest, forcing the Dane to miscue.

    The Romanian takes it to 40-0, and then wraps up her first game of the final.

  2. Postpublished at 08:47 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    *Halep 0-3 Wozniacki

    Caroline Wozniacki watches a challengeImage source, Reuters

    Work to do for the world number one.

    The Australian Open trophy glints in the distance, as the 26-year-old gets straight to task with an ace... no, Caroline Wozniacki challenges and that's out.

    Good call.

    Halep can't finish a smash at the net, but her follow up volley kisses the baseline and jumps up at Wozniacki, forcing the Dane into a wild return.

  3. Postpublished at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    *Halep 0-3 Wozniacki

    Halep leaps into a huge crosscourt forehand with a grunt to power a winner after a long baseline exchange.

    Wozniacki rattles back to 30-30, and then the Romanian pops a backhand into the tramlines.

    The Dane follows up with an inch-perfect forehand winner, right in the postage stamp as tramline meets baseline. Nice.

  4. Postpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep 0-2 Wozniacki*

    Scintillating stuff from Caroline Wozniacki at the moment, as she pounces on a short Simona Halep ball with punishing efficiency.

    A double fault follows.

  5. Postpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Jill Craybas
    Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Halep was moving Wozniacki around the court but just hit the ball down the middle and allowed Wozniacki to control the points.

  6. Wozniacki breakspublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep 0-2 Wozniacki*

    First break point saved.

    The world number two wraps a forehand against the tape and watches it slide down her side of the net.

    But Wozniacki takes the second - forcing Halep deep and watching the Romanian overcook a backhand slice.

    Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  7. Chance for Wozniackipublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    *Halep 0-1 Wozniacki

    Two break points Wozniacki.

    She moves her opponent around the court before picking a winning spot.

    A scrambling Halep can't get near it.

  8. Postpublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    *Halep 0-1 Wozniacki

    Simona Halep goes long with a backhand from the baseline, and Caroline Wozniacki then cracks a backhand winner of her own down the line.

    Neat from the Dane.

    Halep scrambles back to 15-30 with a powerful forehand.

  9. Postpublished at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Pat Cash
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Wozniacki's serve is under-rated. It's not the biggest but it's accurate and she will win a lot of points with it.

    Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark servesImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Piers Newbery
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    They might have been thin on the ground outside Rod Laver Arena but there are several pockets of vociferous Romanian fans inside, although there is one man behind me with a hat adorned by several tiny Danish flags.

    The last time Halep made a Slam final, in Paris last June, the travelling Romanian fans suffered along with their player as she lost from a set and 3-0 up. This could be another nerve-jangler - they are gluttons for punishment...

  11. Postpublished at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    *Halep 0-1 Wozniacki

    A little bit of let up for Halep off the Wozniacki serve as the Romanian is able to attack the Dane's second serve, striding towards the net and catching a Wozniacki passing shot on the volley at full stretch.

    But Wozniacki mops up on the next point. She holds.

  12. Fitness key to finalpublished at 08:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Pat Cash
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    I think it'll come down to how much Halep has left in the tank because she's spent longer than Wozniacki on court to get here.

  13. Postpublished at 08:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep 0-0 Wozniacki*

    Wozniacki gets the first points on the board with a punchy serve that rattles the strings of Simona Halep.

    The Danes cruises to 40-0.

  14. Postpublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep 0-0 Wozniacki*

    World number two Caroline Wozniacki will serve first...

  15. Who will get their hands on this?published at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Will it be Romanian or Danish hands lifting the trophy?

    TrophyImage source, Reuters
  16. Postpublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep v Wozniacki

    It's got the feel of a prize fight this one, with everything on the line.

    The winner takes the lot - a first Grand Slam title, world number one spot.

    Warm ups complete, a quick glance to their corners, the gloves are off...

  17. Postpublished at 08:33 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Pat Cash
    Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    I know how hard both these players work. Secretly, I would like Darren Cahill, Simona's coach, to win this because I'm very good friends with him.

    Halep is a light girl, she's very fit, but he would love her to be able to knock out some winners and aces to get some easy points.

    Simona Halep and Caroline WozniackiImage source, Reuters
  18. 'It'll be nerve-wracking'published at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Jill Craybas
    Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Both women are trying to stay relaxed but it'll be a nerve-wracking final because they both have that first Grand Slam title in the back of their minds.

  19. Made in the '90spublished at 08:29 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Halep v Wozniacki

    Making (some of) us feel very old....

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  20. 'Halep must play aggressive tennis'published at 08:28 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2018

    Courtney Nguyen
    WTA reporter on BBC Radio

    Simona Halep seemed the more relaxed of the two, chatty and casual, and no matter what happens this has been a very good tournament for her.

    She's on the right path now and understands she must play aggressive tennis. It'll be up to her to take the match to Wozniacki.