Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki met American youngster Christina McHale in the second round of the 2014 Australian Open on Thursday.
The start time of the match had been pushed back for two reasons. Firstly, because Maria Sharapova had just taken 207 minutes to beat Karin Knapp 6-3 4-6 10-8 and, secondly, due to tournament organisers enforcing the 'Extreme Heat Rule'.
The latter meant that the match would take place under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena. Find out how it panned out by revisiting the action with Sports Mole's blow-by-blow updates below.
The roof is in place, the players are on court and this match is just moments away!
Wozniacki is a comfortable favourite with the bookmakers, which is somewhat surprising considering her head-to-head record against the 21-year-old American.
McHale, who can be backed at a best-priced 31/10 with Boylesports, has won two of her three career meetings with the Dane.
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
McHale beat Wozniacki 6-4 7-5 in Cincinnati (Hard court) – 2011.
Wozniacki beat McHale 7-5 6-3 in New Haven (Hard court) – 2011.
McHale beat Wozniacki 6-1 6-7 6-4 in Eastbourne (Grass) – 2012.
Wozniacki made a storming start to this year's Australian Open, beating Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-2 6-0 in 67 minutes. Meanwhile, McHale overcame Yung-Jan Chan 7-5 6-4.
I must apologise for the somewhat brief introduction, but the match is about to begin. It's Denmark's Wozniacki to serve first.
The 10th seed breezes through her opening service game, finding four consecutive first serves and holding to love.
American HcHale has not started at all well. She produces two forehand unforced errors, either side of a double fault, to create THREE BREAK POINTS FOR WOZNIACKI!.
Two stylish winners bring McHale back into contention, but WOZNIACKI BREAKS to 30 when her opponent's forehand makes its fourth unforced error of the match.
Two aces help Wozniacki win a tough service game to 30.
The previous match on this court lasted 207 minutes. Judging by the start that Wozniacki has made, one would be rather shocked if this one lasted anywhere near as long. The former world number one fails to convert two break points from 15-40, but she quickly puts that disappointment behind her by BREAKING TO 40.
With just 21 minutes on the clock, Wozniacki extends her lead to 5-0 in the opening set by holding to 30. The game-winning point sees her edge an exciting 12-shot exchange.
McHale shanks an ugly backhand wide, before leveling at 15-15 by nailing a tricky overhead. A forehand miss then gives the upper hand back to Wozniacki, who brings up TWO SET POINTS thanks to a perfectly-placed winner at the net.
FIRST SET TO WOZNIACKI! McHale saves the first two set points, but the Dane cracks a backhand winner to bring about a third, which is converted when her opponent misses an easy forehand.
That first set lasted just 28 minutes. Only 38 points were played, with Wozniacki taking 26 of them. The Dane hit six winners and three unforced errors. McHale also made six winners, but countered them with a hefty 16 unforced errors.
The American only won four of 16 receiving points during the opening set, but she wins four of the first six in the second. MCHALE BREAKS to 30!
Big hold for McHale, who wins three straight points from 15-30, sealing the game by hitting her first ace of the match.
Wozniacki's first double fault of the match sees her fall 30-40 behind, but she SAVES BREAK POINT with a crisp forehand volley. McHale then donates two unforced errors to allow the Dane to hold.
McHale holds to 15. She has a 100% point success rate behind her first serve in this second set (7/7).
McHale wins four consecutive points from 15-0 down to achieve a DOUBLE BREAK! What a turnaround!
Another tame game from Wozniacki allows McHale to hold to 15. The Dane appears to have let this set go and it looks as though she wants the decider to come as soon as possible.
SECOND SET TO MCHALE! Wozniacki continues to thrash at the ball recklessly and seemingly apathetically. As a result, she is BROKEN to 15 and, after just 59 minutes, it is one set all.
Wozniacki produced just two winners and 14 unforced errors in set two, while McHale made five winners and seven unforced errors. The Dane only won four of 16 receiving points and 13 of 40 points in total.
McHale kicks off the deciding set by holding to 15. The next game is a big one for Wozniacki!
After she SAVES TWO BREAKS POINT from 15-40, Wozniacki holds thanks to four invaluable first serves.
Wozniacki has won 21 of 34 points behind her first serve in this match. She has won just five of 14 behind her second.
After scrapping her way to deuce, WOZNIACKI BREAKS as McHale comes up with two unforced forehand errors back-to-back.
A brilliant game from Wozniacki, who holds to 15. The Dane won two terrific points at the net in that game, demonstrating her expert volleying skills in the process.
More brilliance at the net from Wozniacki, who moves 15-40 ahead with a clever sliced volley. She is then gifted a DOUBLE BREAK when McHale produces her second double fault of the match.
Two clinical backhand winners at the net help Wozniacki move 40-15 ahead. She then misses at the net for the first time in the match, but holds to 30 nevertheless thanks to a wayward backhand from McHale.
COACHING VIOLATION WOZNIACKI! The Dane is warned by the umpire following 'communication' from her coach, who shouted "come on" after she won a point to level the game at 15-15. Farcical.
McHale takes the next two points to move 40-15 ahead, but the American then loses three on the spin, presenting Wozniacki with MATCH POINT!
McHale SAVES MATCH POINT and holds to 40, forcing Wozniacki to serve for the match.
GAME SET AND MATCH WOZNIACKI! The 10th seed holds to 30 with a stunning backhand winner.
Wozniacki will play Garbine Muguruza in round three. The world number 38 overcame Slovakia's Anna Schmiedlova 6-3 6-3.
Wozniacki: "I started off really well and was playing very aggressive, but she pushed me back in the second set and I made too many unforced errors. The third set was tough, but I showed my fighting spirit."
That match lasted 103 minutes and here are the final stats.
Total points won
McHale: 61
Wozniacki: 70
Winners
McHale: 17
Wozniacki: 15
Unforced errors
McHale: 37
Wozniacki: 29
Net points
McHale: 2/2
Wozniacki: 11/15
Aces
McHale: 3
Wozniacki: 2
Double faults
McHale: 3
Wozniacki: 3
Receiving points won
McHale: 27/65 (42%)
Wozniacki: 32/66 (48%)
Live coverage of this match has now ended, but you can click here to follow the next match at Rod Laver Arena - Rafael Nadal vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
