Tennis breaking news: Caroline Wozniacki runs down 2006 champ Maria Sharapova at US Open 2010
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark has justified her top seeding at the U.S. Open on Monday by defeating former champion Maria Sharapova of Russia in the fourth round blockbuster.
Wozniacki, the 2009 runner-up very skilfully wrapped up a 6-3, 6-4 fourth-round. Sharapova has failed to make it to the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows since winning the 2006 title. Wozniacki got to every ball and stroked it back, winning points on and on and on until her opponent missed the mark.
The Russian made a dazzling array of mistakes for a match, nine double faults including three in a row, and a total of 36 unforced errors, whereas Wozniacki just committed ten unforced errors.
But more tellingly, Sharapova’s serve was her weakest point throughout the match, which let her down at many key points in both the sets, handing breaks to Wozniacki.
“Even with those unforced errors, I still had my chances and I was one-for-eight on breakpoints," she said.
Sharapova just needs to be more stable and not so up and down, when especially against a tough opponent like Wozniacki. She needs to string a few things together, although she played a couple of good points and then made an easy error, which include missing the first serve and hitting a return long. Sharapova gave Wozniacki many tough looks at second round, while returning the serves.
Wozniacki was the runner-up in the last year’s U.S. Open, which has given her healthy doses of confidence and experience. She has improved a lot, not only physically but also in herself. She was very quick throughout the match and pursues the ball relentlessly.
The 20-year-old Caroline Wozniacki tried to keep as many balls in the court and managed to move Sharapova around and also tried to dictate as well. Wozniacki is really a confident and determined player; she never gives up till the end of the match.
For Sharapova it was a disappointing conclusion to the Grand Slam Event. She has already missed nine months due to her shoulder injury, and at one point last year she was at the position of 126. This year she has worked on her service speed but has fallen short in the majors. She was defeated in the first round at the Australian Open and in the third round at Roland Garros before reaching fourth at Wimbledon, where she lost to eventual and ultimate champion Serena Williams.
Two years ago Wozniacki faced Sharapova in the fourth round at Rome. After dropping the first set, the Dane ran out to a 5-1 lead in the second set and unfortunately lost in a tiebreaker.
"It's two years ago," Wozniacki said. "It's a long time. I definitely believe that I am playing better than I was a year ago."
There's that word -- belief.
"I believe in myself more," Wozniacki said. "I believe I can do it.
"I feel like everything is possible."
Wozniacki played a good defensive game and won many points by forcing Sharapova to make errors and running down so many balls. Her great movement and speed helped her to retrieve most balls hit by her opponent. This time her forehand helped her to absorb the powers of her opponent, despite the fact that her two-handed backhand is more powerful and her strongest weapon. She is noted for her backhand down the line.
The Dane will be facing the unseeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. Dominika Cibulkova defeated 2004 U.S. Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the second time in her career.
Wozniacki’s fans and all who follow tennis are looking for her upcoming match. Until now she has proved that she deserves to be the number one seed for the U.S. Open, fingers crossed whether this poster girl will be able to justify her top seeding in the next match and she maintain her current position in the U.S. Open.
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