Simona Halep in trouble against Kaia Kanepi in first round

Australian Open number one seed Simona Halep is in a real battle against Kaia Kanepi in the first round of their Australian Open clash on Margaret Court Arena.

Romania's Simona Halep reacts after a point against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi during their women's singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2019.

Image credit: Getty Images

The Romanian has struggled for form and fitness since that first-round defeat at Flushing Meadows last year and came into the year's first Grand Slam short of preparation after a back injury ended her 2018 season prematurely.

And the 2018 French Open champion found herself a break down in the second set but drew on all her reserves to secure a break back, with the pair back on serve in the second.

Can the 27-year-old fight back to preserve her status in the tournament.

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