Second seed Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki beats top seed Romania's Simona Halep to take women's title in Australia
ADVERTISEMENTCaroline Wozniacki outlasted Romanian Simona Halep 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 in the women's singles final to win her maiden grand slam at the Australian Open.
The Dane, who also took the world number one ranking from Halep, prevailed in two hours and 49 minutes.
After a captivating tussle played out in stifling humidity at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena, the Dane stood firm in a see-saw final set to claim the thriller when Halep wavered on serve.
The result ensured Wozniacki swiped Halep's world number one ranking, six years after losing it at the 2012 Australian Open.
After taking the win when Halep netted on the final point, an overwhelmed Wozniacki threw her racket away and collapsed onto the blue hardcourt.
Both players battled leg complaints in the taxing two hour and 49 minute tussle, but Wozniacki found the grit to make the breakthrough in her third grand slam final.
Halep was gallant in defeat but leaves Melbourne Park with a third grand slam final defeat.