Top-seed Wozniacki into the final
Beats Schiavone in Brussels Open.
BRUSSELS:
World number one Caroline Wozniacki got a great boost ahead of the French Open as she eased into the final of the Brussels Open with a battling 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Italian Francesca Schiavone.
Wozniacki, who has won 15 career titles, does not have the satisfaction of having clinched the grand slam yet despite holding the world number one ranking. French Open champion Schiavone, meanwhile, suffered a major psychological blow as she will now head to Roland Garros on the back of a defeat to Wozniacki.
Although Schiavone amazed the crowd with her glorious backhand and flawless touch around the net, Wozniacki overshadowed her opponent’s performance.
With the players tied one-set all, the top-seed raced into a 3-0 lead at the beginning of the third set. However, Schiavone got back in the game, earning a break point at 3-2 with a magnificent drop shot and it was secured when Wozniacki hit a drive volley wide.
Schiavone’s struggle was evident as she threatened to break her opponent with a couple of impressive winners. She came close to turning the tables when she served two break points and opened up the court at 30-40 but threw a simple volley into the net.
Another chance went unused when the Italian sent a smash over the baseline and Wozniacki sealed the victory with a point that was finished with a drive volley.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final Shuai Peng defeated world number two Vera Zvonareva 6-3,6-3. Although, the Russian was impressive throughout the week, she found Peng dominating the match from the start.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2011.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki got a great boost ahead of the French Open as she eased into the final of the Brussels Open with a battling 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Italian Francesca Schiavone.
Wozniacki, who has won 15 career titles, does not have the satisfaction of having clinched the grand slam yet despite holding the world number one ranking. French Open champion Schiavone, meanwhile, suffered a major psychological blow as she will now head to Roland Garros on the back of a defeat to Wozniacki.
Although Schiavone amazed the crowd with her glorious backhand and flawless touch around the net, Wozniacki overshadowed her opponent’s performance.
With the players tied one-set all, the top-seed raced into a 3-0 lead at the beginning of the third set. However, Schiavone got back in the game, earning a break point at 3-2 with a magnificent drop shot and it was secured when Wozniacki hit a drive volley wide.
Schiavone’s struggle was evident as she threatened to break her opponent with a couple of impressive winners. She came close to turning the tables when she served two break points and opened up the court at 30-40 but threw a simple volley into the net.
Another chance went unused when the Italian sent a smash over the baseline and Wozniacki sealed the victory with a point that was finished with a drive volley.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final Shuai Peng defeated world number two Vera Zvonareva 6-3,6-3. Although, the Russian was impressive throughout the week, she found Peng dominating the match from the start.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2011.