Tennis: Simona Halep into Australian Open final after three-set battle

Simona Halep celebrates. Photo / Getty

The world's top two players will clash in the Australian Open women's final after Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki set up a mouth-watering climax to the season's first grand slam at Melbourne Park.

Wozniacki exorcised the demons of her harrowing 2011 semi-final loss to Li Na with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) triumph over Elise Mertens on Thursday before the top- seeded Halep staved off two match points to deny Angelique Kerber 6-3 4-6 9-7 in one of the most gripping last-four showdowns seen in years.

Both Halep and Kerber had their chances to put the match away in the 68-minute-long third set.

Halep was serving for the match at 5-3, but was broken after Kerber ended a 26-stroke rally with a backhand winner that just clipped the line. Kerber then fell to her knees and put her forehead on the court in exhaustion.

Halep had two match points in the next game, but Kerber saved the first with a backhand down the line and the second when Halep hit into the net.

After Kerber broke to take a 6-5 lead, she then had two match points of her own, but Halep saved them both and then broke back to level the match at 6-all.

Serving at 7-8, Kerber saved a third match point before Halep finally converted on the fourth when the German sent a ball long.

Halep said after the match, "Definitely was very tough. I'm shaking now, I'm really emotional because I could win this match."

Halep and Wozniacki will both be chasing an elusive first grand slam triumph on Saturday night - as well as duelling for the world's top ranking.