Former World No.1 Simona Halep laboured into the Australian Open second round on Tuesday after an error-strewn clash with Poland’s Magdalena Frech which saw 11 service breaks. 

The fit-again Romanian 14th seed came into the Grand Slam full of confidence after her first title in 16 months at the Melbourne Summer Set tournament this month. But she struggled to find her groove against the 102nd-ranked Pole before banking the win 6-4, 6-3 to keep her dreams of a third major title alive.