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Australian Open: Simona Halep battles through; Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu beaten

World number two Simona Halep clawed her way into the Australian Open third round after fighting back from the brink against Ajla Tomljanovic.

A nervy Tomljanovic failed to serve out the match at 5-3 and Halep showed her experience to secure a remarkable win.

"In the end I think mentally I was a little bit stronger, had the desire to win the match," she said.

In front of a rowdy Margaret Court Arena, Halep cut a frustrated figure, frequently yelling and gesturing at her coach, Darren Cahill.

However, when Tomljanovic faltered at the key moment, the two-time Grand Slam champion forced her way through her opponent's defences and shook her fists in celebration at the end.