BEIJING - She may not have won any Grand Slam crowns this year, but Caroline Wozniacki can still lock up the most important title of all - best in the world. All she needs is a second consecutive China Open championship.

"I think to win a Grand Slam you need to play well for two weeks, you need the experience and some luck. I haven't done it yet. But I will try again next year," Wozniacki said on Saturday morning.

Wozniacki, who replaced Serena Williams to top the rankings after winning last year's China Open, is hungry for another No 1 ending.

"After so many weeks as No 1, I wish to stay there until the end and end of the season and the new year," she said. That's my goal, I will do everything to do well here and in Istanbul."

If she bags the champion's 1,000 ranking points in Beijing, Wozniacki will establish a vast margin over the runner-up - Russian Maria Sharapova, who withdrew from the Beijing event with an injury - going into the WTA Tour Championships in Istanbul from Oct 25 to Nov 3. No matter whom she faces, the 21-year-old Dane is ready.

"To finish as the No 1 two times in a row would be something very, very big for me. I am going to keep fighting for the last weeks of the season. I know if I play my best, it's tough to beat me. I just try to keep up," she said.

Facing Czech player Lucie Hradecka in the opening round today, Wozniacki isn't scheduled for a tough challenge until a potential meeting with Wimbledon semifinalist Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals.

If she successfully advances into the semifinals, either Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone or local ace Peng Shuai will likely be in her way.

Hailing last year's Beijing event as her career high, Wozniacki feels confident she can maintain her momentum at the National Tennis Center.

"It's nice to come back and look back some of the unforgettable pictures that were made here," said Wozniacki.

China Daily