Caroline Wozniacki’s painful wait is over with tennis’s perennial grand slam bridesmaid finally reigning with a compelling Australian Open final triumph.

In a gripping climax to one of the most-memorable women’s Opens on record, Wozniacki wore down battered top seed Simona Halep 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 on Saturday night in two hours and 49 minutes of incredibly intense tennis.

The now Great Dane also returned to the top of the rankings – ending a record six-year stint between drinks – with the dramatic victory over the dethroned queen.