Wozniacki Into U.S. Open Finals After Peng Forced to Retire
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki punched her ticket to the Women’s Singles Final at the 2014 U.S. Open Friday afternoon, as Peng Shuai of China was forced to retire, impacted by the heat and humidity in New York, trailing 7-6(1), 4-3, ad in. Leading by a set and a break, Wozniacki was serving 30-40 at 4-3 in the second set, when Peng started to cramp up. She took a medical timeout, and returned to the court 10 minutes later. But after losing consecutive points, she fell to the court, unable to continue, removed from Arthur Ashe Stadium in a wheelchair.
"It was really hard to watch when she collapsed on the court," said Wozniacki. "Tennis is great, but health is more important. To see her struggling out there … I just wanted to make sure she was okay."
Five years ago, Wozniacki made a run to the finals in Flushing Meadows, before falling to Kim Clijsters in the finals. Wozniacki awaits the winner of this evening’s match between world number one Serena Williams and Ekaterina Makarova in the day’s second semifinal match on Ashe. Serena holds a very commanding 8-1 lead over Wozniacki, while Wozniacki is a perfect 7-0 lifetime over Makarova.
On the possibility of facing Serena, Wozniacki said, "She looks like she's firing out there at the moment. She's won so many Grand Slams. She's a good friend of mine. We were saying when the tournament started, 'Yes, we're in separate sides of the draw, so hopefully we can meet in the finals. It would be great if that were to happen.' I don't want to jinx her now, but she's obviously a tough opponent. When she's on fire, she's hard to beat. But I have had two tough matches against her the past few weeks. I was really close. Hopefully for me, the third time would be the charm."
Reflecting on her last appearance against Clijsters in the finals, Wozniacki noted, "I have definitely learned a lot in those years. I have had more matches under my belt. I have learned more about myself. But also going out to the finals back then against Kim, I knew that it was going to be really tough. I didn't know what to expect, and what to expect from my nerves. She had been out there before. So this time it's going to be different. I hope that I'll have more experience. I hope that I'll go out there and just go for it. I have nothing to lose. I have only things to win. It's one more match, and I'm going to take it just as any other match. I know it's going to be difficult, but it's going to be so much fun to be out there."
