Simona Halep’s counter-punching brilliance has driven her Australian Open rivals to despair but the world No.1 could meet her match when she faces Angelique Kerber in the semi-finals.
In the midst of her deepest run at Melbourne Park, Halep has grappled with an ankle injury, sweated through a third-round marathon and spent more time on court than any other semi-finalist.
But the diminutive Romanian continues to rise to the challenge as shown by Wednesday’s 6-3 6-2 quarter-final demolition of former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova.
Trailing 3-0 after a sluggish start, Halep reeled off nine straight games to take command and leave Pliskova praying for a friendlier draw at her next grand slam.
“I think she’s just using my speed. That’s the problem,” the perplexed Czech said.
“I try to play fast but I think she likes this. She doesn’t have to give any power into her shots. She just uses my speed. Then in the end, I’m the one who is running.
“It doesn’t make sense.
“For me, so far Halep is the worst. I just pray she’s not in my draw next time.”
Determined to claim a maiden grand slam title, Halep will on Thursday face her biggest test when she takes on 2016 champion and former world No.1 Kerber on Rod Laver Arena.
The only grand slam winner left in the women’s draw, German 21st seed Kerber has shot to title favouritism after crushing Madison Keys in 51 minutes in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Kerber and Halep have split their previous eight meetings and another long, closely-fought contest looms between two of the most outstanding defensive players on the women’s circuit.
“For sure, is going to be a second marathon this tournament,” Halep said.
“But I’m used to that. I know her pretty well. I know she’s a very strong opponent, very strong player.
“She likes here. But I started to like this tournament. After two years in a row losing in the first round, now it’s a better result.
“I just want to go there and to give everything I have like I did the last matches.”
While Pliskova predicted Kerber’s superior finals experience would carry her to the title, Halep can take comfort in a historical trend.
Of the 22 times that the top women’s seed has made the semi-finals at Melbourne Park, she has won through to the final on all but two occasions.
The winner will go on to face either former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki or Belgian upstart Elise Mertens.
Like Halep and Kerber, reigning Hobart International champion Mertens is undefeated from 10 matches this summer and will be hoping her hot form can carry her into the final.
Danish second seed Wozniacki has lost just once from her 10 matches, going down to world No.12 Julia Goerges in the final of the Auckland Open.
The pair have met just once with Wozniacki prevailing in three sets at last year’s clay court Swedish Open.