An epic semi-final defeat to world No.1 Simona Halep has denied her the chance to claim a second Australian Open crown but, make no mistake, Angelique Kerber is back.
The 2016 champion gave everything she had but was unable to overcome Romanian Halep, who held on to claim a 6-3 4-6 9-7 win in a gripping centre-court showdown.
Halep will face world No.2 Caroline Wozniacki in Saturday night's final with both women vying for a maiden grand slam title.
An exhausted Kerber saved two match points while down 5-4 in the third set, only to then squander a pair of her own as the rollercoaster contest took another twist.
The German had been on a 10-match winning streak for the summer before losing to Halep - a remarkable turnaround considering she struggled for form and fell out of the top 10 last year.
While dejected by her loss, Kerber will leave Melbourne Park certain she has her mojo back.
"Of course I'm a little bit sad but, at the end, I will go with a good feeling back home," Kerber said.
"I know that I'm back, and I know that I can play again good tennis in front of amazing crowds and playing tough matches, winning also matches where I'm down and fighting until the last point.
"For me, the most important thing is that I'm again on court and I'm fighting.
"I have my heart there. I really enjoy every single moment."
The two hour and 20 minute clash tested both women's endurance but Kerber, who launched her summer by taking out the Sydney International title, said she wouldn't have changed her packed schedule.
"I think when I was warming up this morning, I was feeling OK," Kerber said.
"Of course I was not physically 100 per cent because I played so many matches before.
"You can say maybe it would be better to not play Sydney, or whatever, but I got so much confidence from Sydney from the last few weeks, so you never know what's to happen.
"I think it was the best decision."
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