Will it be third time lucky for the Dane?
“You live and you learn, and you try again. They knock you down, you come back up. Hopefully I can change that on Saturday."
Caroline Wozniacki survived a late surge to navigate past Elise Mertens 6-3 7-6(2) into a third Grand Slam final.
AO Analyst: How Caro won the battle
“I always believed in myself. I had a tough period where I had a few injuries. That was kind of hard and tough mentally,” the two-time US Open finalist said. “But once I got past that, I knew that if I can stay healthy and I work hard, my game is good enough for it.”
Wozniacki admitted she was “haunted” by a previous semifinal showing in Melbourne, squandering match point against Li Na back in 2011.
“I got really tight at 5-4 (second set). I felt like I was hitting against a wall,” a relieved Wozniacki said. “Serving for the match against Na in 2011 was definitely on my mind today, it was the most disappointing loss of my career so far, but I tried to stay calm and I was lucky to get the win.
“Once she had set points, I said to myself ‘I guess it’s a third set,’ so I just had to go for it,” added Wozniacki, identifying her major experience as a key factor in comparison to the unseeded Belgian prodigy.
“It helped so much, I’ve been in these situations before. You learn how you feel and I also realised she was nervous too. I had to stay focused as best as possible.”
The former world No.1, who will return to the summit of the rankings if she lifts the title on Saturday, faced the Belgian in red hot form.
The 22-year-old, unbeaten in 10 matches in 2018, was bidding to reach a maiden major final in just her fifth career Grand Slam showing.
The Dane was in trouble at 0-30, but a brave backhand drive volley from deep edged Wozniacki 2-1 in front.
Three netted Mertens forehands gifted the world No.2 a break, before a fizzing backhand down the line fended off a chance for the Belgian to immediately respond.
Mertens undercut a volley in the net at 5-2 to present set point to her soaring opponent, but managed to force the 27-year-old to serve it out.
Two blazing backhands pinned the Belgian behind the baseline and a 13th winner wrapped up the opener from a ruthlessly efficient Wozniacki.
The world No.2 was relentlessly ramping up the pressure, clinching 14 straight points on serve.
In contrast, the Wozniacki returns were rushing the misfiring Mertens and at 2-2 a toe-tapping delivery caught the Hobart champion off guard to claim a commanding break.
The second seed maintained her dominance to serve for a ticket into the final at 5-4, but a brace of double faults opened the door for a grateful Mertens.
A forehand pass chalked up a first break point for the world No.37 since 3-1 in the opener. Eight straight points later and Mertens had seized the initiative to lead 6-5.
Wozniacki was forced to illustrate her archetypal fighting qualities to take a nine-minute hold and then dictated the tiebreak to lift her arms aloft in triumph.
“I think it's been a great two weeks so far. I'm really happy and proud of how I've managed to turn things around when things weren't going my way and keep it up whenever it was going my way. I'm just excited. Regardless of what happens now, I've done my best, have everything to win,” added Wozniacki with her unwavering determination.
Despite the narrow defeat, Mertens is buoyed by her major success and a rise into the top 20.
“It's a mixed feeling. Of course you lost the match, but of course also I'm very happy that I'm in the semifinal for the first time,” Mertens said.
“I gave everything today until the last point. Of course, 5-4, 30-0, you think, Oh! But she was just slightly better than me today.”
The turbulent climax to the victory was particularly tough in the stands.
“I’m sorry,” quipped Wozniacki, referring to her father and coach’s nerve-racking journey in the player’s box. “When I started on Tour my dad had dark hair, now it’s all grey.”
Those nerves will be tested once again in the silverware showdown, when his daughter with face current world No.1 Simona Halep, both playing with “borrowed money” in Melbourne.
“Halep, just like me, has been down match points in the tournament, has fought her way back,” explained Wozniacki. “I think it's exciting because we're both playing for the No.1 ranking, which I think is a cool storyline.
“A new opportunity on Saturday, and I'm going to do my best to try and win it.”