Wozniacki Edges Sharapova for Trip to U.S. Open Quarterfinals

August 31, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Caroline_Wozniacki (13)_0
Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Caroline Wozniacki booked a spot in the U.S. Open Women’s Singles Quarterfinals for the first time since 2011 on Sunday, pushing past former champion Maria Sharapova 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to advance in Flushing Meadows. The 10th seed from Denmark displayed excellent baseline to baseline speed, winning some unbelievable points during the final set that got the Queens crowd behind her as she beat the 2006 champion in two hours, 37 minutes.

The match between former world number ones was a see-saw battle. Wozniacki jumped out early at 3-0 only to see Sharapova respond back by winning the next three games before another break point gave the Dane the set.

With her back against the wall, Sharapova played much more efficiently in the second frame. She broke Wozniacki in the opening game which set the tone for the rest of the set. After committing 21 unforced errors in the opening set, the Russian had just 12, coupled with 22 winners in the second as she cruised 6-2 to force a deciding third set.

On a hot and muggy afternoon, both players’ conditioning were put to the test and the heat rules allowed a break in between the second and third sets. Wozniacki, who plans on running the New York City Marathon in November, seemed to have more juice than her opponent as the third set progressed. They key game came while Sharapova was serving down 1-2 and Wozniacki chased down two shots from one side of the court to the other on game point to take control at 3-1. She threw her hands up to urge on the crowd as the pulse of the match was clearly on her side.

"Definitely it ranks up there," said Wozniacki of her big win over Sharapova. "Maria is obviously a tough competitor. She's won here before. She won the  French Open this year. It was a really good win for me. Beating her here at the U.S. Open is a tough task—I'm really happy to be through and have another chance to play in the next round."

The two would exchange holds in the next three games, putting Wozniacki a break point away from closing it out. She ripped one last backhand past Sharapova to wrap up the three-set thriller, putting her in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2012 Australian Open.

"It means so much to me as it's been a bit up and down for me this year," said Wozniacki after the match.

Wozniacki will now play 13th seeded Sara Errani of Italy for a spot in the final four. Errani eliminated one of the feel good stories of the tournament on Sunday, defeating Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia 6-3, 2-6, 6-0 in the match preceding the Wozniacki-Sharapova showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sharapova's loss leaves Serena Williams, the top seed, as the only woman left in the top six still playing in the final Grand Slam of the year.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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