Top News

'Little Princess'enjoys Doha coronation

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-30 07:20

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark poses for photographers after winning her match against Italy's Francesca Schiavone on the third day of the WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday. Karim Jaafar/Reuters

Wozniacki guaranteed to finish year as world No 1 after victory

DOHA - A cramp-ridden Caroline Wozniacki lay twisted and tortured on the hardcourt of Doha in October 2009, but 12 months later she is certain to leave the same venue as the year-end world No 1.

What a difference a year makes.

A year older, wiser and stronger, Wozniacki has been transformed into one of the most powerful players in women's tennis, a fearsome baseline brawler with the lungs and heart to run her opponents into the ground.

Completion of this metamorphosis came on Thursday when the 20-year-old Dane sealed the year-end No 1 ranking by beating Italian Francesca Schiavone at the $4.55 million season-ending tournament in the Qatari capital.

"Last year I came into this tournament a little bit injured. I think that made my body work a little bit harder for everything," Wozniacki said after her 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Schiavone at the Khalifa Tennis Complex.

"This year I feel like I'm fit, I'm feeling well, feeling good physically. I've been working really hard off the court as well and that's paid off. I'm really happy about that."

Dubbed the 'Little Princess' back home, Wozniacki endured a three-hour battle against Victoria Azarenka in her opening game last year, then went the distance with Vera Zvonareva in a match that yielded blood, sweat and tears.

After the Russian's nose started to ooze blood in the second set, Wozniacki was pole-axed by cramp in her heavily-strapped left thigh and was barely able to hobble to the net to shake hands after her three-set win.

The Dane would later retire with an abdominal strain after the first set of her semifinal against Serena Williams.

There would be no such injury problems for Wozniacki this year, however, as the beaming blonde celebrated ending the year as the world's top-ranked player.

The tears of last season have been replaced by steely eyes, iron will and canary-yellow nail polish.

"I've had a great season. I've played some good matches here and now I can end the year at No 1 it's a really great feeling," said Wozniacki.

"I'm only the 10th one to finish the year as No 1 so I'm really proud of what I've achieved."

Wozniacki, the youngest player in the Doha field, has won six titles this season and claimed the No 1 ranking earlier this month after reaching the quarterfinals of the China Open.

While some have questioned her right to be crowned world No 1 without winning a Grand Slam, Wozniacki knows there will always be sceptics no matter what she does.

"For me the most important thing is I know I've had a great season," she said.

"I've won six tournaments so far and my friends and family are the ones that mean the most to me. That's what I care about," she said.

Reuters

(China Daily 10/30/2010 page15)