Angelique Kerber admitted in the weeks that followed that she still often thought about this one match 2018. The semi-final between her and Simona Halep at the Australian Open was the best Grand Slam match of the past season for the WTA.
It was a hot day in Melbourne as this memorable semi-final between Kerber and industry leader Halep took place at Rod Laver Arena. The Romanian fought for her first appearance in the final of the first major of the season ever – and after her very personal moon landing in 2016, the Kieler wanted to return to the final of the Australian Open – where almost everything had begun with her Grand Slam premiere coup.
Although Kerber “Down under” was only set at position 21, she was by no means considered a blatant outsider in the duel with Halep. Because: The new Sydney Champion Filly had remained undefeated in her 14 matches 2018 to date – including the Hopman Cup.
And the match between the number one and the former Melbourne winner kept her promise: The German number one got off to a weak start and was down 4-0 quickly, but after losing the opening set she fought her way back in the best “Angie” manner. The exchange of blows was marked by several spectacular rallies – there were even standing ovations in the wide round of the arena.
Although both players were marked by the strains of the world-class game in the Australian summer, the quality remained almost constant. In the decisive round, Kerber caught up with her opponent 3:5 and fended off two match points. After a 26-shot rally, the 2016 Melbourne winner even kneeled on the ground after pulling the point to a 4:5 connection with a spectacular and typical backhand cross shot.
At 6:5, 40:15 and his own serve, Kerber had two match points in a row. At the first one a forehand of hers landed behind the baseline, at the second one the nerve-strong Halep got the point with a forehand winner. The luckiest player in the world at the end of a memorable game was the luckiest one. After 2:20 hours she changed her fourth match point to 6:3, 4:6, 9:7.
“I’m still trembling. It was like a roller coaster ride, but I didn’t give up. I am very proud of myself,” said the happy winner in the OnCourt interview. In the final Halep lost in three sets against Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark.
A good four months later, the Romanian won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open – and a little later, Kerber crowned herself Wimbledon Queen in the lawn Mecca on Church Road. All’s well – all’s well!!!