Halep survives 3-hour duel to join Pliskova in last 16

MELBOURNE, Australia – World number one Simona Halep saved 3 match points to survive a titanic struggle and make the last 16 at the Australian Open Saturday, January 20, where she joined Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Garcia.

With the temperatures a manageable 26°C (79°F) at Melbourne Park after two days of oven-like conditions, the Romanian looked out for the count against American Lauren Davis.

But she finally got over the line 4-6, 6-4, 15-13 in a gruelling 3 hours and 44 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to make the 4th round in a contest that took its toll.

“I’m almost dead,” the tenacious Romanian said after the incredible battle, in which Davis lost a toenail and Halep served for the match 4 times.

“The feeling in my muscles is gone and I don’t feel my ankle anymore,” she added.

Davis is ranked 76th in the world and was knocked out in the first round of all 4 Grand Slams last year, but you would never have known it.

Halep, a former quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park who slumped out in the first round last year, will next play Australian Ashleigh Barty or Japan’s Naomi Osaka in her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.

6th seed Pliskova also had a tough test, beating fellow Czech Lucie Safarova 7-6 (8/6), 7-5.

In contrast, US Open finalist Madison Keys was in fine touch as she benefits from the guidance of former great Lindsay Davenport.

Flying under the radar, the 17th seed has surrendered just 16 games on her way to the fourth round after beating Romania’s Ana Bogdan 6-3, 6-4.

“Lindsay is amazing. We’ve had 3 years together and she has taught me how to handle big moments like this,” said Keys, who made the Australian Open semis in 2015.

She will next test herself against French 8th seed Garcia, who was too strong for Belarussian Alaksandra Sasnovich, winning in 3 sets.

“I haven’t done too well against her before and I want to improve,” Garcia said of Keys.

Play the best

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic hold court later as they work to keep a potential Australian Open semi-final showdown on track.

The two greats of the game – who have won 11 Australian Opens between them – could meet in the last 4 if they maintain their winning ways, but both have tricky 3rd-round tests ahead.   

The Swiss defending champion headlines Rod Laver Arena in the evening, with the 19-time Grand Slam winner tackling France’s Richard Gasquet.

On Margaret Court Arena, Serbia’s Djokovic needs to find a way past 21st seeded Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Djokovic, who admits he is still not 100% as he returns from 6 months out with an elbow injury, struggled against Gael Monfils with his serve in his last match, sending down plenty of double faults.

In other 3rd-round matches, Argentine 12th seed Juan Martin Del Potro plays tough Czech campaigner Tomas Berdych while 4th seed Alexander Zverev takes on South Korea’s Chung Hyeon.

Maria Sharapova will be centre stage on Rod Laver Arena against Angelique Kerber in a fascinating encounter between the only two Australian Open winners left in the women’s draw.

Both are 30, former world number ones and in good form.

“I look forward to these matches. I want to be playing against opponents that are former Grand Slam champions,” said Sharapova, who is looking to rediscover her best on her way back from a 15-month drugs ban.

The victor will be rewarded with a clash against either Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska or Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei. – Rappler.com