Wozniacki, Djokovic advance to semifinals
Source: Agencies |
October 9, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CAROLINE Wozniacki began life at the top with an injury scare at the China Open in Beijing yesterday as ecstasy turned to agony for the Dane less than 24 hours after she was crowned world No. 1.
Wozniacki crumpled to the ground clutching her left knee in tears while leading Serbia's Ana Ivanovic 7-6, 3-1.
The 20-year-old overstretched as she smashed a backhanded return but after taking an injury time out to get her knee strapped, she showed her champion's instinct to reach the semifinals by shunting aside Ivanovic 7-6, 6-4.
Also, top seed Novak Djokovic powered into the semifinals, while Chinese favorite Li Na earned her best result in her home tournament.
Defending champion Djokovic, ranked No. 2, fended off all seven break points he faced while breaking Gilles Simon three times on his way to winning 6-3, 6-2. It's the fifth straight time he's beaten the Frenchman.
"I'm very happy that my serve is getting better and better, and hopefully I'm going to use it more and more," Djokovic said.
The US Open runner-up is enjoying a surge in form, crediting his semifinals appearance at Wimbledon with providing a boost in confidence.
Looking for his second title of the year, Djokovic will meet American qualifier John Isner, who upset fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 (4), 6-4, serving 18 aces to the Russian's one.
Djokovic beat Isner in their only previous match in March, but it took the Serb more than four hours and six match points to top Isner in the Davis Cup.
Li gave the Chinese crowd something to celebrate with a hard-fought 7-6 (8), 6-3 victory against Latvian qualifier Anastasija Sevastova to reach the tournament's semifinals for the first time.
The world No. 15 struggled against her 55th-ranked opponent in the first set. In the second, Li looked set to win at 5-2, but Sevastova broke her serve to stay in the game. Undeterred, Li promptly broke back for the win, eliciting a huge cheer from the home crowd at the Beijing Tennis Center.
"I wasn't at all familiar with this opponent," Li said. "You see out on the court I was playing a little tight."
Second-seeded Vera Zvonareva made easy work of French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-0, 6-2.
That was one game better than the world No. 4 won against the Italian on the same court a year ago. Zvonareva improved to 10-0 against Schiavone in a match that lasted just 54 minutes.
"Not the match you expect from a grand slam winner," Zvonareva said.
Eighth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain surprised third-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-4.
In a late match, Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia beat second seed Andy Murray of Britain 6-3, 6-2.
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