Can Caroline Wozniacki clinch maiden Grand Slam win at 2011 US Open – Tennis Special
World number one Caroline Wozniacki is participating in the 2011 US Open as the top seed the season closing Grand Slam. But could this be the Major tournament, Wozniacki has been waiting for to close the doors on her Major-less
career.
Many tennis analysts are of the view that Wozniacki’s top position in the WTA rankings is not justified. Although the 21-year-old has been winning matches consistently on the tour, her ability to perform well in a big tournament
has always remained a question.
"I think the worst thing that ever happened to her was getting to No. 1 without winning a major," ESPN commentator Patrick McEnroe said. "I think it just caught up to her, all the questions. Initially, she tried to handle it and
just sort of brush it off. It's not her fault she got to No. 1, it's the system's fault. So she won a lot of matches. She was very consistent.
Wozniacki’s best run in a Grand Slam was recorded on the same hard courts of 2009 US Open, when she reached the final of the tournament. However, she was outclassed at the final hurdle by a better player; Kim Clijsters. Earlier
this year, she made it to the semi-final of Australian Open to give some hopes to her fans but at the Roland Garros, she went out cheaply again.
Her record at the Wimbledon championships is also quite disappointing as she failed to move past the fourth round in the latest edition of the tournament.
McEnroe further added, "She's playing so poorly and so tentatively in Grand Slams that something's going on that I'm not aware of that is causing her, that she doesn't seem to be focused in on what she's doing right now. "But I
think now it's getting to her. She'll probably be a lot more comfortable when she falls to five or six in the rankings. She'll probably start winning more matches again."
It will not be wrong to say that Wozniacki has come so far down the road but yet there is something missing in her career; that is the ability to play her game under pressure.
If 2011 US Open is Dane’s dream tournament then there are several obstacles she is likely face en route to the Final. Her potential opponent in the fourth round is Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Russian is an experienced campaigner and
has pretty decent 2-4 head to head record against Wozniacki. She could give the world number one run for her money.
Winner of seventeen WTA titles, Wozniacki is likely to face seventh seed Li Na in one of the matches in her draw. Having a very average record against Chinese challenge, Wozniacki might struggle against the control and composure
of her opponent. In pair’s four meetings on the tour previously, Wozniacki has emerged victorious only once.
If Wozniacki plays well move past Kuznetsova and Na, she could set up a potential quarterfinal meeting with former world number one Jelena Jankovic, who is a very dangerous player. The Serbian reached the finals at Cincinnati just
over a week ago and she has pretty good record against the Dane.
Should all go well for the world number one, she could be facing 2006 US Open champion Maria Sharapova in the final. Wozniacki downed Sharapova in their last meeting on the hard courts at Indian Wells so she will have an edge over
the Russian. Sharapova, on the other hand, is playing some fabulous tennis herself. Reaching the finals of 2011 Wimbledon Championships just a couple of months back, she is certainly one of the favourites to win US Open along with Serena Williams.
So considering the draw Wozniacki is facing at the 2011 US Open, it is not going to be easy for her by any means to bag the title. However, in any case, with William’s sisters back on tour and Sharapova in terrific form, the tournament
will be exciting to watch.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and have nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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