16-SERENA WILLIAMS (USA) leads 1-SIMONA HALEP (ROM) 8-1 (2-0 at grand slams)

2016 US Open, hard, quarter-final, Williams 6-2 4-6 6-3

2016 Indian Wells, hard, quarter-final, Williams 6-4 6-3

2015 Cincinnati, hard, final, Williams 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

2015 Miami, hard, semi-final, Williams 6-2 4-6 7-5

2014 WTA finals - Singapore, hard, final, Williams 6-3 6-0

2014 WTA finals - Singapore, hard, 1R, Halep 6-0 6-2

2013 Cincinnati, hard, quarter-final, Williams 6-0 6-4

2013 Rome, clay, semi-final, Williams 6-3 6-0

2001 Wimbledon, grass, R16, Williams 3-6 6-2 6-1

SIMONA HALEP (ROM)

Age: 27

Ranking: 1

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US28,157,199 ($A39.07 million)

Career titles: 18

Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018)

Australian Open win-loss record: 19-8

Best Australian Open result: finalist 2018

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

Age: 37

Ranking: 16

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US88,233,301 ($A126.07 million)

Career titles: 72

Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010,

2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009,

2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Australian Open win-loss record: 84-10

Best Australian Open results: champion 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017

Australian Associated Press