Simona Halep vs. Caroline Wozniacki: duo go for glory in the Australian Open final

When Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki step out on to the Rod Laver Arena not only will they be battling for the Australian Open women’s title but also for the number one spot in the world rankings and their first career grand slam victory.

For Halep, 26, it will be her third grand slam final appearance after losing twice at the French Open in 2014 and 2017. While for Wozniacki, 27, she has also played in two grand slam finals, but lost out both times at the US Open in 2009 and 2014.

Tennis.com’s Joel Drucker calls the encounter a “career-defining final” for the duo. With so much at stake in tomorrow morning’s final in Melbourne (8.30am), how do the players feel ahead of the showpiece event?

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After coming through a tough semi-final against Angelique Kerber, Romanian Halep says she is “happy” despite having to play since round one with an ankle injury.

The current world No.1 and top seed said: “It’s nice that it’s happening. I feel proud that I could stay there and fight till the end. It’s a nice feeling and I’m looking forward to the last match of this tournament. It’s my dream to win a grand slam title.”

Second seed Wozniacki, who won the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore for the first time in her career, said: “Whoever wins on Saturday will be top of the world rankings, so it’s a cool storyline. I am going to try and do my best to win it.”

So, who will win the women’s singles title? We look at Halep’s and Wozniacki’s route to the final, the pundit predictions and the latest betting odds.

Halep vs. Wozniacki: Australian Open final guide

• Who: top seed Simona Halep (Romania) takes on second seed Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
• When: tomorrow at 8.30am (UK time)
• Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne
• Head-to-head record: Wozniacki 4 wins, Halep 2

How they reached the final

Halep’s route to the final

• Round one: beat Destanee Aiava 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
• Round two: beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-2, 6-2
• Round three: beat Lauren Davis 4-6, 6-4, 15-13
• Round four: beat Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-2
• Quarter-final: beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-2
• Semi-final: beat Angelique Kerber 6-3, 4-6, 9-6

Wozniacki’s route to the final

• Round one: beat Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2, 6-3
• Round two: beat Jana Fett 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
• Round three: beat Kiki Bertens 6-4, 6-3
• Round four: beat Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-0
• Quarter-final: beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2
• Semi-final: beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

What the players have said

Here’s what Halep and Wozniacki had to say to the WTA Insider Podcast ahead of the Australian Open final.

Halep: “Well, I’m feeling ok. I’m a little bit tired of course because I had so many hours on court. But I feel good, I feel relaxed, I don’t feel the pressure of the match. I slept a lot. Now I’m looking forward to practice a little bit to feel the ball. It’s all good. I’m looking forward to playing tomorrow, to enjoy the time, and to be focused on myself because it’s the most important thing to play my game.”

Wozniacki: “I’m excited. I’m actually feeling really good about it. I think I was more nervous before the semi-finals. I think there was a lot more pressure on me and a lot more expectation. I think going out there tomorrow, playing Simona, she’s obviously a great player, No.1 in the world. I think it’s a fun story. No.1 and No.2 playing each other for that No.1 ranking and for our first grand slam. I think it’s awesome. These are the moments we practice for, these are the moments we’ve prepared for our whole careers. I’m going to go out there and fight and leave my heart out there and hope that it’s good enough.”

Halep vs. Wozniacki predictions

Vithun Illankovan, Last Word on Tennis: “In my 2018 Grand Slam outlook piece, I predicted Wozniacki as my Australian Open winner and Halep as my French Open winner. I still stick with these predictions based on what I have seen this tournament. Wozniacki in three.”

James Cunningham, Last Word on Tennis: “Halep demonstrated a true champion’s mentality in her tough semi-final encounter with Angelique Kerber, and winning that match will give her an enormous amount of confidence going into this match. I think it will be a very close match where the finest margins will decide. For me, Halep has the confidence and overall quality to see this one through, just. Halep in three.”

WTA Addict: “In this match-up, Halep and match Wozniacki in every way. Whilst it is Halep whose weapons are far more damaging, this was clear to see in Halep’s win over Kerber. Wozniacki has proven to get defensive under pressure, whilst Halep has proven that she can execute an aggressive game under extreme pressure. This is Halep’s for the taking. Simona Halep to defeat Caroline Wozniacki in two sets.”

TheRoar.com.au: “Many believe Wozniacki to be peaking at the right time in her career, having previously reigned at the top of the rankings between October 2010 and January 2012, in between her two major final defeats in New York. Caroline Wozniacki in three sets.”

Halep vs. Wozniacki betting odds

Here’s the latest best prices for the Australian Open women’s singles final, according to Oddschecker.

• Simona Halep to win: 5/7
• Caroline Wozniacki to win: 6/5

What TV channel is the Australian Open final on in the UK?

All the action from Melbourne will be shown live on Eurosport. A day pass costs £4.99, while an annual pass is £29.99. The BBC will also show highlights.