Wozniacki outlasts erratic Sharapova in WTA Finals
Dane wins a three-setter against Russian powerhouse in a marathon group match in Singapore
Caroline Wozniacki put a huge dent in Maria Sharapova’s bid to finish the season as world number one by overcoming some distracting bright lights to down the Russian 7-6(4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in their marathon opening group match of the WTA Finals on Tuesday.
The Dane grabbed the final qualifying spot in the eight-woman field but it was world number two Sharapova who looked the lower ranked player at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium, as some stunning winners were lost in a wave of 76 unforced errors.
The French Open champion also tossed in 15 double faults as she was broken seven times in an erratic display, with Wozniacki growing in confidence throughout the three hour 13 minute match as she sensed her opponent’s struggles to find a fix.
The third game of a gripping White Group match encapsulated the night for Sharapova, as three perfect forehand winners put her 0-40 up on Wozniacki’s serve, before she blasted balls low, wide or long to let the Dane off the hook.
That hold put the world number eight 3-0 up but the 27-year-old Sharapova showed all her champion spirit, as she fought back with some booming groundstrokes, breaking twice before serving for the opening set at 5-4.
The Russian, though, creaked under the pressure as two more double faults led to her being broken for 5-5 with more wobbles coming on her next service game where she saved a set point to force a tiebreak.