Melbourne Park has been a place of nightmares for Simona Halep in recent years and her first round 7-6(5), 6-1, win over Destanee Aiava was further proof of that.
The world No.1 entered the match with the aim of breaking a two-year run of losing in the opening round of the tournament. Taking on 17-year-old Aiava, the roller coaster encounter saw both players suffer physical scares on the Rod Laver Arena with the crowd watching anxiously on. Aiava underwent a blood pressure test and Halep suffered an ankle twist.
A nightmare start to the match saw Halep get broken three consecutive times as Aiava, who was playing in only her second grand slam main draw, raced to a 5-2 lead with ease. It looked as if the Romanian was once again on course for an early defeat before an unexpected turn in the match. The Australian teenager left the court after moving to a game away from clinching the opening set. During the medical time out she complained of feeling unwell and underwent a blood pressure test.
17-year-old Aussie wildcard Destanee Aiava leads #1 Simona Halep 5-2 in the first set, but she's heading off court for treatment, I believe for her chest. Appeared to be getting blood pressure tested earlier. @FOXSportsAUS #AusOpen
— Max Laughton (@maxlaughton) January 16, 2018
The break in Aiava’s momentum allowed the top seed to recuperate as she clawed her way back into the match. Reviving her hopes of launching her first grand slam title of any kind. Forcing proceedings into a tiebreak, Halep moved back into the lead after a forehand from her opponent landed out. Elevating her to a 5-3 advantage. She then won the tiebreaker following another loose error from the world No.193.
Coming back from behind it appeared as if Halep was back in control until disaster struck. In the second game of the second set the world No.1 stretched to get a shot. In the process, she rolled her left ankle. Triggering flashbacks of last year when she tore a ligament in her right ankle.
“I felt a big pain on court, but I didn’t have time to go to check it.” Halep said following the match.
“I just want to wait for tomorrow to see how I wake up. From my experience, I feel that is nothing broken, but still the pain was big. I have to see.”
Halep getting left ankle taped after this. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/DmvAvgaUAM
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) January 16, 2018
Despite the scare, Halep continued to battle. Determined to end her losing streak in Melbourne. She achieved her objective in style. Upon returning from an injury break, she broke immediately as she claimed five out of the next six games to book a place in round two.
“I think she played great.” The top seed said about Aiava. “She was not afraid of anything, so she was hitting very strong and very well.
“I was actually stressed a little bit because two years in a row I lost in the first round, so I didn’t want to do the third one. But I think she’s very good player and very talented, very powerful. She’s going to be good in the future.”
“I’m really happy that I could win the first round. Was really important.” Halep added.
Hitting 20 winners in her opening match, Halep will next take on Eugenie Bouchard. The Canadian ended her six-match losing streak on the WTA Tour with a 6-3, 7-6(5), triumph over France’s Océane Dodin. Halep leads Bouchard 2-1 in their head-to-head, but hasn’t played her since 2014.
