Caroline Wozniacki defeated Maria Sharapova 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in a marathon match at the WTA Finals in Singapore.
Both players were broken twice in a gripping first set, which went to a tie-break, won by Wozniacki. The Dane served for the match at 5-4 up in the second, but broke and lost the set on another tie-break.
In the decider, Wozniacki was the dominant force as she won four games in a row from 2-2 to earn victory in three hours and 14 minutes, making Sharapova’s path to the year-end World No.1 ranking much tougher.
The Russian now has to at least reach the final with a 2-1 round robin record or win the title to have a chance, and as Serena Williams progresses through the tournament, those minimum requirements will only become higher.
In the following match, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova lost 6-2 6-3 to Agnieszka Radwanska. It was only the second time in seven tries Radwanska beat Kvitova, though the Pole’s only previous win over the Czech did come at the WTA Finals too, at Istanbul two years ago, also in straight sets.
STANDINGS
Red Group P W L F A Pts
1. Simona Halep 1 1 0 2 0 2
2. Serena Williams 1 1 0 2 0 2
3. Ana Ivanovic 1 0 1 0 2 0
4. Eugenie Bouchard 1 0 1 0 2 0
White Group P W L F A Pts
1. Agnieszka Radwanska 1 1 0 2 0 2
2. Caroline Wozniacki 1 1 0 2 1 2
3. Maria Sharapova 1 0 1 1 2 0
4. Petra Kvitova 1 0 1 0 2 0
Other posts by Azlyn Balqis
