Caroline Wozniacki hit back at Na Li to enter quarters of Toray Pan Pacific Open – Tennis Special
Former world number one, Caroline Wozniacki, showed her true colours to outfox the Chinese number one, Na Li, at the Toray Pan Pacific Open 2012 on Wednesday. She notched up a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the seventh seed to secure a spot in the final eight at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Five event taking place in Tokyo, Japan.
The Danish number one made a sloppy start and suffered the first blow in the opening game. She lost the opening set but found her rhythm afterwards, eventually sealing the deal in two and a half hour-long venture. After recording this victory, Wozniacki not only avenged her loss at the Australian Open last circuit but also lowered trail in the head-to-head series by 2-3 against the world number eight.
"After the first set of my first match my energy level dropped, but since then I've been feeling great," the ecstatic Dane stated in a courtside interview after conquering Li. "Today, Li Na was playing very close to the baseline and pushing me away, taking the balls very early - she was all over me. But in the second set I really started to step in and push her away."
The Asian number one thundered into the Ariake Coliseum. She drew the first blood in the opening game and took the initial lead. Apart from losing her edge in the very next game, Li broke the Dane’s serve once again and jumped to a 3-1 lead. She smoothly held her remaining serves and clicked the opener with a 6-4 win.
Seeded 10th in this event, Wozniacki rebounded in the following set. She got the desiderated break in the second game and took a 2-0 lead. Regardless of losing her serve in the proceeding set, the Dane remained focused and plucked her remaining serves with poise. She got the breakthrough in the sixth game and sealed the equaliser by winning six games to three.
Currently ranked 11th in the WTA Premier Rankings, Wozniacki swayed from her path again towards the final set which matter the most. She gifted away her opening serve and fell at 0-2. However, the Dane showed her class and reeled off three games in a row, eventually 3-2 up. Despite losing her edge in the sixth game, she broke Li’s serve again and leaped to a 5-3 lead. Wozniacki impressively warded off double breakpoint in the last game before pulling out the decider with a 6-4 score line.
Wozniacki recently re-ignited her old spark and entered the winners circle after conquering the KDB Korea Open last week.
Next in queue for Wozniacki is the third seed, Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland. She trashed the American qualifier, Jamie Hampton, in straight sets to set up this epic encounter. With her current run of form, the Dane can shock the Polish number one with ease and reach far at this Premier event.
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