Romanian top seed Simona Halep has dodged a first-round bullet at the Australian Open, coming from a set down to beat Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
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Halep was forced to dig deep against the big-hitting world No.71 in the 6-7 (7-2) 6-4 6-2 slog over two hours and 11 minutes.
Halep was knocked out in the opening round of last year's US Open by Kanepi and it looked as if history was going to repeat when she found herself down an early break in the second.
Halep, last year's Australian Open finalist, broke back to level at two-all before sending it to a decider on her fourth set point chance.
"I knew what I had to do against her. I know she's a very tough opponent. I had to be so strong on the legs and to believe that I could win," Halep said.
"I can take a lot of confidence because it's not easy facing Kaia."
Kanepi smacked 40 winners but also made 62 unforced errors in an all-or-nothing effort.
The pair were on serve in the final set until Halep came from 40-0 down to break in the sixth game and close out the match, avoiding a repeat of her 6-2 6-4 loss at Flushing Meadows.
"Well I don't want to remember that match it was a tough one," Halep joked.
Halep will meet 20-year-old American Sofia Kenin for a place in the third round.
Australian Associated Press
