For Simona Halep, Australia is not quite the destination it used to be.
The Romanian world No.4 crashed out at Melbourne Park in the opening round for the second straight year.
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This time it was a 6-3, 6-1 loss to American Shelby Rogers as knee tendonitis played havoc for the two-time quarter-finalist.
Halep said at no time did she consider withdrawing from the first slam of 2017. "I had some anti-inflammatory before the match, and the previous days. But when you have the tension of the match, official match, the pressure, it comes harder," Halep said.
"So I had harder pain, and I couldn't do what I wanted."
They were on court for one hour and 15 minutes after Halep sought medical treatment between sets.

The Romanian enjoyed her best year on the tour in 2014 with the first of her quarter-final appearances in Melbourne, the final at Roland Garros and a final four appearance at Wimbledon. Halep memorably fell victim in the first round last year to Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, who has previously not won a match in 14 appearances at grand slams. That sparked emotional scenes from Zhang who wept openly on Margaret Court Arena, much to the enjoyment of the crowd, after the virtual unknown's stunning win over the previous year's US Open semi-finalist.
But for Rogers this time around, she was taking the victory in her stride over a highly ranked player. "My game plan worked," the world No.52 said.

"Just move forward, hit your shots, be really aggressive. When I'm doing that, I am playing well. Very happy with how I did today."
Halep said she would undergo physiotherapy for her left knee condition. "No, no surgery. Not that bad. I need MRI again, and just maybe take some rest and physiotherapy to get it well," Halep said.
Regardless, such an early exit from Melbourne was frustrating. "It's second time. It's a bit - yeah, I'm a bit frustrated, but you cannot change much," she said.
"I'm okay. Just looking ahead. It happens, and I just want to be well with the knee.
"And then I will think about the game."
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