Dane triumphs over Venus
FORMER world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki ended her career-long jinx against Venus Williams in spectacular style to lift the WTA finals trophy for the first time yesterday.
The Dane had won just one set from seven harrowing defeats to Williams, but she turned the tables with a 6-4 6-4 victory in 89 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Wozniacki had some nervy moments after Williams, 37, the tournament’s oldest finalist yet, clawed her way back from 0-5 down in the second set.
But she kept her cool to seal victory with a backhand down the line, throwing her racket into the air and holding her hands to her face in disbelief.
“I am so happy I managed to win in the end,” Wozniacki said. “Eight is my lucky number.
“If I was going to beat [Williams] once in my career, it had to be today.
“It is really sweet. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Wozniacki has been in brilliant, aggressive form in Singapore, beating Elina Svitolina and Simona Halep at the group stage and Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals.
After an even start, she seized control of the final by breaking four straight times across the sets to lead 5-0 in the second set.
But with the title in her sights, Wozniacki was unable to serve it out in the seventh game and the ninth, when Williams produced an astounding crosscourt winner to win her fourth straight game.
But Wozniacki finally triumphed in the 10th game with her backhand winner to celebrate in style.
Williams looked increasingly weary as the match wore on after playing a gruelling three-set semifinal against Caroline Garcia on Saturday.
In a contrast of styles, counter puncher Wozniacki tried to extend the rallies while her big-hitting opponent attempted to shorten points through sheer power and rushes to the net.
Wozniacki broke three times in the first set and took a one-set lead when Williams played a loose service game at 4-5 down – only the second set she had ever conceded to the Dane.
Wozniacki, in her first WTA finals since 2014, flourished in Singapore, with a tough three-set defeat to Garcia her only slip-up. It completed a stellar comeback season for the two-time grand slam finalist, who endured an injury-marred last year and finished ranked No 19. – AFP