Serena Williams knocks out Simona Halep in the epic shock of the Australian Open

Serena Williams explained why she was the favorite to win the Australian Open with a 6-1 4-6 6-4 win over first seed, Simona Halep, in a high-quality match of the year. Last 16 days.

The 37-year-old American dismantled Halep's game to play the first set in 20 minutes.

The 27-year-old Romanian Halep came back in second after breaking what turned out to be the last match.

Williams, seeded 16th, saved three points for 3-3 in the decision, decisively winning the next game to take control.

The 23rd Grand Slam champion comfortably approached her next service match, before serving for the victory in one hour and 47 minutes.

Triumphantly, hitting the air from both arms as she stared hard at her box, Williams showed how relieved she was to beat the world number one.

"It was an intense match and there were some incredible points, but I like being here," she said.

Williams, looking for her first Grand Slam title since returning from pregnancy last year, has now won nine of her 10 games with Halep.

The seven-time champion will face seventh seed Karolina Pliskova, who beat Spanish Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza earlier Monday in the last eight days.

If Williams continues to expand her record number of victories in Melbourne, she will match the 24 Grand Slam titles of Australian Margaret Court.

An eagerly awaited match does not disappoint

From the moment these two players were shot in the same section of the Australian Open – and would meet each other in the last 16 games – tennis fans were shown to be anticipating: Williams, the l '. former long-time world number one, took the current incumbent, Halep.

And a match between fight, theater and high quality tennis of both players did not disappoint.

Halep had acknowledged before the game that Williams was still the "best player in the world", and Williams may have proven that with her first win against a top ranked player since her victory over Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

"I really needed to improve my game," Williams said.

"She's the number one player in the world and there's a reason for that, she's a great player."

Williams let the Melbourne crowd bewildered by the ease with which she dismantled Halep's game, especially Romania's second serve, in a first set-up.

Halep, who won his first Grand Slam at the French Open last year, broke Williams' serve in the first game – which included a double-fault on one point – before the American calm .

Williams gave Halep just nine more points on his career.

On this evidence, those inside Laver who thought that the second set would be a formality could have been forgiven.

Yet, Halep used all his fighting skills to stay on the job in the second, reducing non-forced mistakes and making Williams more successful.

Halep has won eight of the last eleven points to force a decision maker.

It was just as difficult, Halep beat Williams in a long opening match, before a sixth is decisive.

Halep got three points, his first chances in the last set, but a service of 171 km / h in the center, followed by a weak forehand from the Romanian and another burgeoning service , saw the chance spin.

This allowed Williams to take control at the crucial moment, with Halep making another unforced error with a forehand in hand.

"I'm a fighter, I never give up, it's something innate," Williams said.

"It's a miracle that I'm here and that I can do something that I like."

Analysis

Kim Clijsters, four-time Grand Slam champion

Serena plays some of her best tennis when she has to. Simona started the game very slowly. She managed to get back into the game, but Serena held on and fought it.

She has respected her game plan and will be very relieved and very happy to pbad through this one.