Caroline Wozniacki loses as Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonareva win at the WTA Championships
Caroline Wozniacki suffered a surprising defeat to Samantha Stosur in the WTA Championships on Wednesday, 27 October, while Vera Zvonareva and Kim Clijsters lived up to expectations and won their matches.
Wozniacki, playing to secure her top ranking as the season nears a close, failed to cope with Stosur's strong forehand returns and powerful first serve. The Australian produced five aces to stun her top-ranked opponent in Doha.
"Any time you beat the world number one, it's a good thing," said Stosur, who also defeated then top-ranked Serena Williams at the French Open in June. "I thought I played really well today and I'm pleased to get through.
Stosur broke in the last game of the first set, pressuring the Dane into some sloppy play and winning with a two-game margin.
Wozniacki lost a break point as Stosur earned a 3–1 lead in the second set. While the Australian hit two double faults at 5–3, she managed to steady herself to convert the match point.
Top spot still in Zvonareva's reach
Second seed Zvonareva of Russia, who is hoping to overtake Wozniacki in the ATP rankings before the end of the season, defeated Belarussian Victoria Azarenka 7–6 (7–4) 6–4 to keep her chances of doing so alive.
Zvonareva dug herself out of a tight spot in the first set having found herself trailing at 2–0, 4–2 and 5–4. The US Open finalist relied on her strong serve to clinch the set in the tie break.
In the second set, the Russian seemed out of focus again, losing 2–0 and 3–1 before regaining her composure and winning five of the six remaining games.
In order to clinch the world number one spot before the end of the season, Zvonareva must win her remaining group stage match and reach the final of the tournament, while Wozniacki must lose her encounter with Francesca Schiavone on Thursday, 28 October.
Clijsters, who entered the tournament after not playing since the US Open due to a foot injury, defeated Serbian Jelena Jankovic 6–2 6–3. The Belgian opened the match convincingly, winning the first eight points in what would come to be a one-sided encounter.
Jankovic, who lost to Zvonareva in her first group match of the tournament, gained a 2–1 lead in the second set, but Clijsters responded by going up to 4–2 in games and holding her serve for the remainder of the match.
"It was my first match back, and I was happy - not with everything but I'll take that, and take the positive things into the next match," said the world number four after the victory. "I need to be a little more consistent and deliver fewer double faults,
but I will try to be better [on Thursday]."
Tags: