Australian Open 2019: Simona Halep v Venus Williams and more – live!

Second set: Halep* 6-2, 1-1 Williams (*denotes server): Here we go! A bit of fight from Williams and she breaks straight back. One angled backhand return in particular to make it 0-30 was a thing of beauty, with Williams eventually ending Halep’s run as the Romanian misfires to her opponent’s backhand.

Second set: Halep 6-2, 1-0 Williams* (*denotes server): This is tough to watch from Williams, she’s collapsing here. After getting 30-0 up Halep roars back the American doesn’t have the answer. The world number one has won six games on the spin now.

Halep appears to be cruising at 30-0 but a successful challenge on an ace changes the game’s momentum. Although whenever Williams has the chance to punish her opponent an error creeps in – a long forehand here or a skewed backhand there handing back the advantage that Halep hardly needs. After seeing off a break, an ace and another booming serve close out Halep’s fifth game in a row to win the set.

Elsewhere, Zverev is on the march. He has broken Bolt again and has a chance to secure the first set against serve, which he does to take the opening salvo 6-3.

First set: Halep 5-2 Williams* (*denotes server): A loss in this and suddenly a first that Wiliams was well in appears to have slipped her grasp. A small victory after a lengthy rally down 15-30 should halt the slide but a loose forehand and Halep has another break point. Once again the forehand lets down Williams and now all Halep to do is hold to take the first set.

First set: Halep *4-2 Williams (*denotes server): Williams answers the break by forcing four chances against the serve of her own. Again its that delightful down the line backhand that brings Williams joy, twice wrong-footing Halep but every time the Romanian faces a break she manages to dig in and scoot around the court to put out fires. Eventually holding after an ace to set up the game.

Over on Rad Laver, there is plenty of noise. Home favourite Alex Bolt is playing Alexander Zverev. The fourth seed had an early break but Bolt pegged him back in the sixth to tie it up with a break of his own. Wild cheers for the wild card.

First set: Halep 3-2 Williams* (*denotes server): Halep gets a chance on her opponent’s serve, taking Williams into the trenches twice in two rallies to finally get the break with a cross-court backhand that Williams can’t get a racket on.

First set: Halep *2-2 Williams (*denotes server): After getting 40-0 up Halep allows Williams a crack in the door but at 40-30 the world number one fires down an unreturnable serve and trots off to wipe herself down before receiving.

First set: Halep 1-2 Williams* (*denotes server): Again Williams faces break point, twice this time, and again she survives. The American definitely thinks she can take on the Halep forehand and up against the wall its there Williams goes. A beautiful backhand down the line the pick of the shots as Williams holds.

First set: Halep *1-1 Williams (*denotes server): The first service game is rather more routine for Halep, Williams never really get a foothold.

First set: Halep 0-1 Williams* (*denotes server): Halep appears to be moving fine as she forces a break point in the very first game of the match but Williams is unfazed and is able to hold by closing our with some strong serving.

Whilst this a match of this calibre might be a treat for those watching you can be sure that Simona Halep would rather not be facing Venus Williams for a place in the Australian Open fourth round. The American seems to have been tailing off for a number of years but her quality remains you can be sure the world number one would have been dreading potentially having to play the seven-time Grand Slam champion so early as she seeks a second major title herself.

Injury at the tail end of last season saw Halep arrive in Melbourne a little under the radar considering her stature. The Romanian’s progress so far has been serene and her recent record against Williams should prove encouragement but this is no gimme.

Perhaps the only question will be over Halep’s fitness. She appeared to be struggling in her second round match with a leg injury and how well Halep is able to move around the court will be a major factor out on the Margaret Court Arena.

For Williams, a return to form after a down 2018 will be the target. A rematch with her sister Serena is also on the cards. It should make for a fascinating watch.