counterpunching and placements from Halep leveled the set at 4 all.
The Russian then won six of the next seven games to lead 6-4, 4-1 behind many forehand and backhand winners crosscourt as well as down the line.
However Sharapova would lose focus midway through set two and commit several errors as Halep was solid from the baseline with a mix of defense and placement to level the match at one set all.
Serving up 2-0 40-30, Sharapova struck an inside out down the line forehand winner to hold serve and lead 3-0.
Following five consecutive holds of service games, Sharapova served for the match at 5-3.
A down the line backhand volley winner followed by a double fault from Sharapova put Halep up 0-30.
A powerful Sharapova crosscourt inside out forehand forced a netted backhand from Halep which put the score at 15-30.
Sharapova then struck a down the line backhand winner to level the game score at 30 all.
A Halep down the line backhand forced Sharapova to frame a forehand on the run which put the score at 30-40
Halep then netted a down the line forehand to reach deuce.
A Sharapova down the line backhand winner gave the Russian her first match point.
Halep would send a down the line backhand long to end the match.
Sharapova, who controlled many of the points for the night, would finish with 60 winners including seven aces to 64 unforced errors.
Sharapova is yet to lose either a match to Halep or a night match on the Arthur Ashe stadium court as she is 7-0 versus the Bulgarian and 18-0 at night at the US Open on the Ashe court.
Playing in front of a sell out crowd of 24,000 people, the 2006 US Open champion Sharapova dropped to her knees in celebration after the match.
“Behind all these crystals and little black dresses this girl has a lot of grit and she is not going anywhere,” the Russian who wore a black dress adorned with lace and crystals that sparkled under the night lights quipped after the match.
