The Romanian star saved two match points as she claimed a 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 victory over Kerber in a marathon contest on the Rod Laver Arena.

Halep, who is chasing her maiden Grand Slam title, will take on second seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in Saturday's (January 27) final.

Wozniacki reached the showpiece women's singles match in contrasting fashion to Halep as she dispatched Belgium's Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-6.

The winner of the final will clinch their first career Grand Slam and will also be crowned as the women's world number one.

Croatia's Marin Cilic secured his spot in the men's final with a straight sets victory over Britain's Kyle Edmund.

Cilic, the sixth seed, won 6-2, 7-6, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Switzerland's Roger Federer or Hyeon Chung of South Korea.

Few would have predicted the semi-final between Halep and Kerber would be a classic as the Romanian led 5-0 in the first set after just 13 minutes.

Having wrapped up the opener, Halep then took a 4-1 advantage in the second before Kerber rallied to take the match to a decider.

A topsy-turvy third set followed as both players exhibited their defensive talent from the back of the court.

Halep led 5-3 but Kerber broke straight back and managed to level at 5-5.

The German, who won the Australian Open in 2016, had match points at 6-5 but Halep clung on and eventually saw out a superb win to progress to the final.

"I knew it was going to be tough," said Halep. 

"She's a tough opponent who is moving well and hitting from everywhere. 

"I didn't give up and that's what matters. 

"If you don't give up you can win. 

"I'm really proud of myself actually."