Australian Open: Simona Halep survives Round 1 wobble

Simona Halep during her Round 1 victory yesterday. Pic/AFP

Former World No.1 Simona Halep laboured into the Australian Open second round on Tuesday after an error-strewn clash with Poland's Magdalena Frech which saw 11 service breaks.

The fit-again Romanian 14th seed came into the Grand Slam full of confidence after her first title in 16 months at the Melbourne Summer Set tournament this month. But she struggled to find her groove against the 102nd-ranked Pole before banking the win 6-4, 6-3 to keep her dreams of a third major title alive.

Meanwhile, teenage US Open champion Emma Raducanu sent 2017 Flushing Meadows winner Sloane Stephens crashing out at the first hurdle Tuesday, producing some devastating tennis in a return to form.

Raducanu, 19, was back to her dazzling best on Margaret Court Arena despite a second-set battle, ousting the American Stephens 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 in a performance that will make her rivals sit up and take notice.

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