Simona Halep hot-streak sees off Karolina Pliskova and sets up Kerber semi-final

Updated 24/01/2018 at 21:04 GMT

A nine-game winning run helped world number one Simona Halep see off Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to set up an Australian Open semi-final against 2016 champion Angelique Kerber.

Simona Halep

Image credit: Getty Images

After dropping the first three games, Halep put in a phenomenal display to take the opening set and move a break up in the second, eventually clinching the match 6-3 6-2.

Halep becomes the first Romanian woman to reach the semi-final in Melbourne, moving her within two victories of a first Grand Slam title.

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"I knew I had to restart after three games, to stop missing. I served well too so everything went pretty well for me," Halep said after the match.

Pliskova struck first to take a 3-0 lead, but Halep responded in fine fashion, producing several stunning winners to win six straight games and clinch the opening set.

Halep then saved two break points in the first game of the second set, before breaking Pliskova once more to make it eight on the spin.

The run stopped on nine as Pliskova finally held serve, but Halep was not to be deterred, finishing with a break to make the last four.

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