If there is ever going to be an Australian Open that fails to produce an instant classic with a marathon final set, this one isn’t it. Already drenched in first-week drama, the 2018 Aussie Open on Saturday afternoon featured a match that trumped everything that came earlier in the week.
Simona Halep and Lauren Davis delivered an epic third-round battle, with Halep surviving 4-6, 6-4, 15-13 after three hours and 44 minutes following a great escape from 0-40, triple match point down at 10-11 in the third set.
After Davis began her upset bid by taking the first set 6-4 and Halep answered with the same scoreline in her favor to forced a third, a never-ending decider ensued. It had everything: cramping, broken toenails, medical timeouts, service breaks, match points…. Everything.
Davis trailed by a break four different times–including three that saw Halep serve for the match–but battled back on every occasion. The American dug out of a brief 3-1 hole and went on to earn match-saving breaks at 4-5, 5-6, 7-8. Eventually it was Davis’ turn to play from ahead when she led 11-10 and had a golden 0-40 chance on her opponent’s serve. But triple match point evaporated quickly, as Halep’s experience proved to be one of the differences.
“I was down also love-40,” the top-seeded reflected. “She had three match [points]. It was not easy, but I just kept playing. I just kept believing that it’s not over, even if she’s leading a little bit more. I gave everything I had today, and actually, I’m really proud that I could stay there and win it. It was not easy at all. She played great.”
Both women played especially great when trailing on the scoreboard, but neither could consolidate a lead–at least not until the 28th game of the deciding set. Halep eventually broke the underdog at 13-13 before one final scare at 15-30 that was quickly solved when she too the final three points.
Highlights:
“Definitely it was a very tough match,” the Romanian said. “It’s the only one match that I played like this.”
Davis agreed.
“I have never played a match like that before where it went so long in the third set. We were both fighting our hearts out, and every point was just super long. got to the point where I was so tired where I just told myself to swing and move, and for the most part it was very effective. Because I didn’t really feel any pressure or anything.”
She did feel plenty of pain, though, in terms of both cramping and a toenail that was falling off. Davis even took a medical timeout before serving at 11-11 in the decider. Halep showed signs of cramping, too, but both players persevered through their respectively physical struggles to produce mind-numbing rallies and all-around outstanding tennis.
“I think in the third set it was a bit up and down,” the 24-year-old said, understating the obvious. “I got a bit tired but started really just talking positively to myself and being my own best supporter. Honestly, that makes such a big difference for me. So I think I turned things around quickly and just fought my heart out.
“I was definitely aware of what a great match it was, but for the most part I was dialed in. I was in the zone and trying to focus on what it was I had to do in that next point in order to be successful. It was definitely a very exciting moment for me.”
And for everyone who watched it.
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