Simona Halep turned in one of the grittiest performances of Day 2 at the Australian Open when she fought through a serious ankle injury to defeat 17-year-old Aussie Destanee Aiava, 7-6(5), 6-1.
Halep battled back from a break down to claim the opening set, dealing with a prolonged delay when Aiava went off court to seek medical treatment. She rallied to take the first set in a breaker, but things got really complicated in the second set when the World No.1 rolled over her left ankle in the second game of the set.
Halep needed time. She sat on the court, writhing in pain, before she headed to her chair to have the ankle retaped. Eventually, she made her way back to the court and claimed five of the final six games with slightly compromised movement.
After the match she told reporters that she still wasn’t sure how the ankle felt.
“I don't know now. I felt a big pain on court, but I didn't have time to go to check it," Halep said. "I just had a shower, I had stretching, and I came here. I just want to wait for tomorrow to see how I wake up. From my experience, I feel that is nothing broken, but still the pain was big. I have to see with the doctors.”