Simona Halep beats Angelique Kerber in semi-final thriller

Simona Halep fought off a stunning fightback from Angelique Kerber to reach the final of the Australian Open. 

The No 1 seed raced into a 5-0 lead in just 14 minutes of Thursday’s semi-final.

But the 2016 champion hit back from a break down in the second to level the tie.

Both players spurned opportunites to serve for the match in a helter-skelter final set before the Romanian broke to claim a 9-7 victory.

More to follow

The No 1 seed claimed the opening set 6-3 before the German hit back in the second

Kerber celebrates on her knees after breaking Halep as she served for the match

Kerber celebrates on her knees after breaking Halep as she served for the match

Angelique Kerber celebrates after leveling the semi-final by winning the second set

Angelique Kerber celebrates after leveling the semi-final by winning the second set

Simona Halep had raced into a 5-0 lead in the opening 14 minutes of the first set

Simona Halep had raced into a 5-0 lead in the opening 14 minutes of the first set

Kerber remonstrates with herself after a sloppy start to the semi-final on Thursday

Kerber remonstrates with herself after a sloppy start to the semi-final on Thursday



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