Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep produce one of the greatest Australian Open women’s finals ever seen

CAROLINE Wozniacki and Simona Halep produced nearly three hours of dramatic tennis on Saturday night. The only injustice was that the Australian Open trophy couldn’t be split down the middle. Has there ever been a better Australian Open women’s final?

Caroline Wozniacki with the Australian Open trophy. Picture: AP Photo

COULDN’T we have cut the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup down the middle?

The most unfortunate thing to come of Saturday night’s final was that someone had to go home runner-up in an epic encounter of survival of the fittest.

Serves — and nerves — dictated on a night that saw perennial bridesmaid Caroline Wozniacki finally become the bride.

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There’d been two grand slam finals for the Dane before — both at Flushing Meadows — with those ghosts now banished with aggression to become the first Danish player to win a grand slam.

It was the one element of her game that had always been lacking, they’d said.

Too defensive, they’d said.

Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep at the trophy presentation. Picture: AAP Images

Not enough assertiveness, they’d said.

Not anymore.

Wozniacki is — finally, some may say — a grand slam champion and it was forceful.

It was as willing and aggressive as Wozniacki has ever been.

Ten days ago no one could have seen this night coming — least of all world No. 1 Simona Halep.

That ankle? It was bad. There was “pain everywhere”, as the ligaments cried out for rest and rehabilitation.

To play out three sets? Seemed crazy after that gruesome roll against Australian Destanee Aiava in the first round.

Before last night, she’d done it twice — going to 15-13 and 9-7 in third sets against Lauren Davis and Angelique Kerber respectively — and spent more time on court than any other women’s player this tournament.

It was tenacious, exhausting, and unfortunately there was to be no reward.

“I just wanted to give my best every match, which I did,” she said.

Of course, I’m sad that I couldn’t win today, but Caroline was better than me … hopefully I can face another challenge like this today.

Caroline Wozniacki reacts to her win. Picture: Michael Klein

“There has been three times (in the final). Hopefully it is fourth time with luck.”

Her wait must continue.

Wozniacki, too, had admitted she “wasn’t even meant to be here” after saving two match points in the second round.

Fight tooth and nail for victory? The usual, for these two this fortnight.

And Saturday night proved no different in one of the most memorable Australian Open women’s finals in recent history.

Rod Laver Arena turned sauna as both players battled the heat and humidity, draped in ice towels and Halep forced to call a medical time-out in the second set with doctors examining her blood pressure and heartrate.

Wozniacki needed attention midway through the third, too, with her left knee appearing to give her trouble. It was after 10pm by then, but still warm enough to need ice towels around her necks and to her cheeks.

It was brutal, with the heat rule in action, meaning an extended break before the final set.

And so, when her moment came, there would be no more saving to be done. Not of energy, nor of match points.

Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep embrace after the match. Picture: AFP Photo

Wozniacki, 27, took her first match point opportunity with both hands, drained but tenacious.

When she fell to her back, the tears came immediately, and there was no prouder man in Rod Laver Arena last night than the Dane’s father and coach Piotr.

“Super,” he exclaimed.

Unfortunately, those walls surrounding the court these days are tough to climb. She would have been up there.

“I’m just going to hug Daphne for a moment,” Wozniacki said soon after.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment for many years. Today is a very emotional moment.

“I’m sorry that I had to win today. It was an incredible match. Again, I’m sorry.”

We’re not Caroline. It was a beauty.