World No.1 Simona Halep has overcome an ankle injury to see off the challenge of powerhouse Australian teen Destanee Aiava in the first round of the Australian Open.

The Romanian needed a medical time-out after rolling her left ankle in the second set, but recovered to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 – her first victory at Melbourne Park since 2015.

Aiava also required medical assistance after complaining of shortness of breath when leading 5-2 in the opening set of a see-sawing encounter on Rod Laver Arena.