Caroline Wozniacki was delighted that she will never again be asked about her lack of a Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open.

The Dane, 27, beat Simona Halep 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 in Melbourne to finally land a major title at the 43rd attempt.

Despite ending the year as world number one in 2010 and 2011, questions had persisted about her failure to win one of the sport’s four biggest titles.

“That’s one of the most positive things about all of this,” said Wozniacki.

“I’m never going to get that question again. I’m just waiting for the question, ‘When are you going to win the second one?’

“Right now I’m just happy I have this one, and I’m going to really enjoy this moment.”

• Wozniacki wins Australian Open
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On Monday, Wozniacki will return to the top of the rankings six years to the day since she was last number one.

“Obviously that’s very special,” she added.

“I think being new Grand Slam champion and world number one sounds pretty good. I’m very excited for that. It’s a dream come true.”

Wozniacki is the first Dane to win a Grand Slam singles title, and sits behind only Jana Novotna (45), Marion Bartoli (47) and Flavia Pennetta (49) for the most Grand slam appearances before winning a major.

She also collects £2.3m, which takes her past Victoria Azarenka into fourth in the all-time list for prize money on the women’s tour, at around £21m.

Wozniacki was congratulated via social media by Serena Williams, who was unable to defend her Australian Open title four months after giving birth to her first child.

The American said she had been “too nervous to watch”, adding: “I’m so proud of my friend.”

Wozniacki responded: “It means a lot to me. Obviously she’s a great friend of mine.

“It means a lot she was supporting and following. She’s just the best. It’s awesome.”

‘I’ll be cuddling Daphne tonight’

Wozniacki won junior Wimbledon in 2006 and played her first Grand Slam main draw match at the French Open in 2007.

Her previous Grand Slam final defeats came against Kim Clijsters at the 2009 US Open and Williams, also in New York, four years later.

She would end the year in the world’s top 10 for six years running between 2009 and 2014, before injuries and poor form saw her slip further down the top 20.

“I think you always, at certain points, especially when you start having injuries and stuff, you start maybe doubting if you’re ever going to be 100% healthy for longer periods of time,” she said.

“But I think last year, already for a year and a half, I’ve proved that I can beat anyone out there on court.”

Wozniacki was watched in the stands by her father and coach, Piotr, alongside her fiancee, former NBA player David Lee.

“Excited,” was how she described her father’s reaction. “They’re out drinking right now, so they’re having a great time.”

As for Wozniacki, she could not let go of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup when she faced the media several hours after her win.

“Being here tonight as a Grand Slam champion, Australian Open champion, it’s very special,” she said.

“Daphne here is going home with me tonight. I’ll be cuddling with her.”

‘Life goes on’ – Halep

Halep had also been trying to win a first major title, after two French Open final defeats, but felt her body let her down in the end.

“I can still smile,” she said. “It’s fine. I cried, but now I’m smiling. It’s just a tennis match in the end.”

The Romanian, 26, had spent 11 hours and 30 minutes on court just to get to the final, saving five match points on the way and dealing with an ankle injury she suffered in round one.

By the time of the final she was suffering with her feet, and midway through the match with a headache and dizzy spells.

“I was really tired,” said Halep.

“I had so many problems at my feet, pain everywhere. But I think I did pretty well with all the things that were going on.

“I did 100% what I could today. That’s why I can say that I’m not sad for that. I’m sad that I lost the match, I was not the winner. But, you know, life goes on.”

Analysis – ‘Wozniacki will have sense of freedom’

Former world number seven and 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli on BBC World Service:

It was one of the best Grand Slam finals I’ve ever seen. Caroline Wozniacki has that title forever now and she truly deserves it – she’ll have a sense of freedom now and definitely huge relief.

It’s very difficult when you finally have won a Grand Slam to go back out there and compete and fight every time, but maybe she can do it.

The next major is on clay which is by far her worst surface, as well as grass. She hasn’t been able to perform well on both of those surfaces. So I think the next opportunity will be the US Open. By then Serena will be back, probably at her best level.

Will Wozniacki really have another opportunity like she had today? I don’t know. And also will she have the drive to keep on practising as much and do as much as she does right now? I don’t know either.

Reaction – ‘Wozniacki’s time to shine’

Wozniacki in profile

• Born in Odense, Denmark on 11 July, 1990.
• Made professional debut in 2005 as a wildcard at Cincinnati, losing in the first round.
• Entered the top 20 in 2008, winning WTA titles in Stockholm, New Haven and Tokyo.
• Won six WTA titles in 2010 to rise to number one in the world rankings.
• After an inconsistent 2012, finished the year as number 10 in the world.
• Completed the 2014 New York Marathon in a time of three hours 26 minutes 33 seconds.
• Finished runner-up to Serena Williams at the 2014 US Open, but dropped out of the top 10 in the following years.
• Won first Grand Slam on 43rd appearance in a main draw, rising to number one in the process.

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Roger Federer must overcome the powerful game of an in-form Marin Cilic if he is to win a 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The pair meet in the final at 08:30 GMT, with live coverage on BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.

Federer, 36, is through to a record seventh Australian Open final and trying to win it for the sixth time.

Cilic, 29, is bidding to win his second major title and become the first Croatian to win the Australian Open.

“It’s a big motivation for me to play the final and obviously to win,” said Cilic, who beat top seed Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final and Britain’s Kyle Edmund in the semi-final.

“I’m feeling really good with my game, so hopefully I can have a great match and also great energy on the court.”

• Wozniacki beats Halep to win first Grand Slam title
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Federer is the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam final since the 39-year-old Ken Rosewall at the 1974 US Open.

Another victory would see him join Margaret Court, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf as the only players to have 20 or more major singles titles.

“It would be amazing,” said the Swiss.

“It ain’t just an easy trip to the finals. There’s always a lot of work that goes into it during the tournament, focus, and also preparation beforehand.”

The final will be played in the Melbourne evening session, but conditions are still expected to be testing on a day when the temperature is forecast to peak at 39C.

‘Aggressive’ Cilic ready to test Federer

On the face of it, Federer is an overwhelming favourite against a man he has beaten eight of nine times.

Their last Grand Slam meeting was in the Wimbledon final six months ago, a match which saw blisters effectively end Cilic’s hopes of making it a contest.

However, the past two weeks have suggested that the Croat is the man most likely to man to test the five-time champion, and he heads into the final on the back of two days’ rest.

“I’m feeling really, really good physically,” said Cilic.

“I’m not looking at it as a revenge. I mean, it was on me that I couldn’t give my best in Wimbledon. And that happens.”

The 6ft 6in world number six has shown the same kind of powerful tennis in Melbourne that swept him past Federer and onto US Open title in New York four years ago.

Nadal retired in the fifth set of their quarter-final in Melbourne, but Cilic had done enough to suggest he could have come through anyway.

Asked afterwards to describe Cilic’s performance, the Spaniard said: “Serving well, hitting very strong from the baseline, returning so well. He was playing very aggressive.”

Cilic arrives in the final second in the aces standings on 107, second for forehand winners with 125 and second for backhand winners on 42.

“I’m playing much, much more aggressive,” he said.

“I’m feeling that I am, for most of the shots, hitting them really, really good. From the return, moving, forehand, backhand, serving, I think everything is in good, solid spot.

“I’m feeling really excited about the final.”

Federer looking to ‘mix up’ tactics

When asked to imagine how he would have reacted a year ago if told he would be on the verge of a third Grand Slam title within 12 months, Federer replied: “Nice joke.”

It has been a remarkable return to the top of the game for the Swiss, who went nearly five years without adding to his then record haul of 17 major titles.

A record seventh Australian Open final, a record 30th Grand Slam final and within sight of matching Djokovic and Roy Emerson on a men’s record six Melbourne titles, the Federer honour roll continues to astonish.

“You go through different stages throughout your career,” said Federer.

“I’m happy I’m still around, still healthy, still playing good, give myself chances, playing the best.”

As Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka all struggle with injuries, Federer once again appears to be well clear of the rest of the field, at the age of 36.

His progress through the draw at his 20th Australian Open has been smooth, without a single set dropped and moving as athletically as ever.

Federer has spent just 10 hours and 50 minutes on court in getting through six matches – more than six hours quicker than Cilic.

“I think I’ve done everything pretty well,” said Federer.

“I just hope I’m going to have a good start to the match. I hope I can mix up my game. I hope I can start serving well from the get-go, not get into too much trouble early.

“I hope I can read his serve and all these things. I’m just pleased that actually my game has been good from the very beginning of the tournament.”

Analysis

Boris Becker, six-time Grand Slam champion, told Radio 5 live:

I don’t think Roger believed 18 months ago that he would be back in the winner’s circle on a regular basis in Grand Slams.

But he persevered, improved, changed tactics a little bit and played more offensive. Roger, with the technique he has and the very soft footwork, I wonder how he keeps his body in shape at the 36.

Cilic certainly has the game to beat Federer – the powerful baseline game, the serve, he has a Grand Slam win under his belt, beating Federer along the way.

Everything that you want going into a Grand Slam final against Federer, he has, the question always with Cilic is mentally.

How strong is he? How stable is he? He looked very strong against Nadal, I thought that was the best Cilic I’ve seen in a long, long time, so the cards are looking good.

Goran Ivanisevic, former Wimbledon champion and ex-coach of Cilic, told 5 live:

This is going to be a different final than Wimbledon, for sure.

This court is better for Marin. He needs to serve well and he needs to press Roger from the beginning of the match, then he has a chance, otherwise he doesn’t have any chance.

You need to maintain your tennis from the first to the last point, very high. When you’re on top of him, you need to stay on top of him.

If for one second you stop – you’re gone. You have 15,000 people against you, you have Roger waiting for you to slip.

This court is very good for Marin, it’s very quick. But the guy across the net is also in amazing form and wants to win his 20th Grand Slam. I think Roger is the little favourite, but let’s say Roger in five sets.

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Tale of the tape

Federer’s route to the final

Cilic’s route to the final

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki beat Romanian Simona Halep to win her first Grand Slam title and regain the number one ranking at the Australian Open.

The second seed won 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-4 in punishing conditions to finally land a major title at the 43rd attempt.

Nine years after her first Grand Slam final defeat, and 17 months after she was ranked 74th, the Dane was overcome.

“I dreamt of this moment for so many years, and to be here today is a dream come true,” said Wozniacki.

The victory means the 27-year-old will replace Halep as number one in the world rankings on Monday.

Twice a runner-up at the US Open, Wozniacki becomes the first Dane to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Halep, too, had been hoping to end the wait for a first major title to add to her number one ranking, but she has now lost in the Australian Open final as well as two French Opens.

“Of course I am sad but Caroline was better than me,” she said.

“I fight and have many years to go, so hopefully will face another challenge like today.”

• ‘I’m going to really enjoy this moment’ – Wozniacki happy to end Grand Slam wait
• Relive a thrilling final game by game
• Federer targets 20th Grand Slam title
• BBC TV and radio coverage times

Wozniacki grabs Grand Slam opportunity

The final might have been begun at 19:30 local time but conditions were brutal, with the temperature above 30C until well into the night and the humidity oppressive.

Both women had endured testing paths to the final, saving match points along the way, and at times looked on the point of exhaustion in a gripping final set.

Wozniacki deservedly took the opener in a tie-break, having let a 4-1 lead slip, and Halep appeared in trouble when she required treatment from the doctor midway through the second set.

However, after having her blood pressure taken, the Romanian returned to take three of the four next games, levelling at one set all with a forehand winner.

The heat rule was in effect should either player wish to use it, and Halep took the chance to halt proceedings for 10 minutes and allow both finalists to head off court in search of air-conditioning.

Halep had now spent over 13 hours on court during the tournament, while Wozniacki – who saved two match points against Jana Fett in round two – was approaching 12 hours.

The final set was a huge test of mind and body, and it produced some thrilling tennis.

After twice breaking serve to edge ahead, Wozniacki looked to have let another Grand Slam chance slip away when she fell a break down at 4-3 in the decider and needed treatment to a knee injury.

Instead, Wozniacki was the one who grabbed the moment, playing superbly in the final three games.

With Halep now serving to stay in the contest, Wozniacki’s brilliant defensive skills eventually forced an error on match point, leaving the Dane flat out and tearful on the Rod Laver Arena court.

‘I want to thank my dad’

Wozniacki has spent 67 weeks at number one in her career, but it had been six years to the day since she last reached those heights, and four years since her second and last Grand Slam final.

By the time her ranking had plummeted to 74th in 2016, few thought she would ever be in contention for the major prizes again.

A change of approach was required and in tandem with her father and coach, Piotr, they developed a more attacking style that has taken her back to the top of the game.

With more pace off forehand and backhand, a much improved serve, and a gameplan to go on the offensive rather than rely on her athletic defence, Wozniacki climbed back up the rankings.

Six runner-up finishes in 2017 showed progress, despite concerns over whether she could go the last step, but victory in Tokyo, and then the biggest win of her career at the WTA Finals, set her up perfectly for 2018.

“Last but not least, I want to thank my dad who has been there since I was seven,” said Wozniacki.

“We’ve had ups and down, but you’ve been there every step of the way.”

Wozniacki deserves success – analysis

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Twenty stroke rallies seemed almost the norm in this spellbinding contest. It was an enthralling match – packed with quality, tension and medical emergencies.

Wozniacki’s achievements in the game have always been hugely respected. She has been a serial winner on the WTA Tour for a decade, but often considered to be lacking the X-factor or nerve to win a Grand Slam.

At the end of 2016, premature retirement appeared to be an option she was seriously considering. But on she played, and after losing six finals in a row, finished 2017 in style by winning the WTA Finals in Singapore.

And now she has broken her Grand Slam duck, by winning the last three games of the final set from a break down – having saved match points in the first week. Wozniacki has passed the Grand Slam test with distinction.

There is also a huge amount of sympathy for Halep, who was battling her ankle, leg and fatigue, as well as the Dane. Her enormous courage took her to within two games of the title.

Halep has the French Open to look forward to next, on her favoured surface of clay. And as she reflects on losing her first three Grand Slam finals, she should remember Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl both lost their first four. They currently have 11 Grand Slam titles between them.

Match stats

Wozniacki’s route to the title

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