SIMONA HALEP overcame Angelique Kerber in a brilliant, nerve-racking contest to set up a final showdown with Caroline Wozniacki.
Halep won 6-3 4-6 9-7 to put out 2016 champion Kerber and guarantee that either she or Wozniacki will break her Grand Slam duck on Saturday.
The final against Wozniacki will also be a play-off for the world No 1 slot, which Halep currently holds and seems in no mood to relinquish.
The Romanian, who converted her fourth match point to claim victory after two hours and 20 minutes, said: “It was very tough. I’m shaking now.
“I’m really emotional. I’m really glad I could resist and win this match.
“I was like a rollercoaster, up and down, but I didn’t give up, not even one ball.
“I’m really proud of myself.”
Halep reproduced the energy and grit of her remarkable third round triumph over Lauren Davis, which she won 15-13 in the decider.
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In a bizarre first set, Halep raced into a 5-0 lead as Kerber struggled to put first serves and returns into court.
But the Romanian twice faltered when serving for the set, only for Kerber to be broken for the fourth time and lose it 6-3.
Halep went a break up in the second, but Kerber pegged her back and then broke her opponent again to give herself the opportunity to serve at 5-4 to level the match. Which she did, converting her third set point.
The momentum now seemed to be with Kerber, especially when took the Halep serve again in the opening game of the decider – but only after an extraordinary 22-shot rally.
Back came Halep, though, converting her fourth break back point and the see-saw clash continued.
The Romanian fought hard to avoid falling behind again and then earned the chance to serve for the match at 5-3. Halep held two match points, but Kerber stopped her, winning a 26-stroke rally to take the ninth game.
Then Kerber had her chance at 15/40, 5-6 on the Halep serve, but could not convert either match point.
Finally the end came. Kerber saved another match point in the 16th game, but Halep was not to be denied.
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