Quick learner Halep ready for Slam crown number two

World number one Simona Halep Saturday admitted losing the 2018 Australian Open final was a painful moment, but it taught her how to better handle pressure situations which she has since put to good use.

The Romanian was targeting a first ever Grand Slam title in that match against Caroline Wozniacki and looked on track to win before folding in the third set.

Halep had won her service game and then broke the Dane to get a 4-3 lead. She served for what would have been a 5-3 advantage but Wozniacki broke then held serve for lead 5-4.

The fired-up Dane went on to break again and win 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4, leaving Halep crushed.

"I didn't want to think that much about that match because it was really painful to lose it," she said at Melbourne Park when asked to reflect on what went wrong.

"But I learned some things from that match. That break (at 4-3) broke me a little bit in that moment.

"Now I know how to manage better if that happens again.

"She was better at that moment and maybe ...