Wozniacki stays No 1 after defeating Kerber
doha — Caroline Wozniacki outlasted former No. 1 Angelique Kerber 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3 in the Qatar Open quarterfinals and ensured she retained the top ranking from Simona Halep on Friday.
No. 2-ranked Halep reached the semifinals with a dominating win, though she promptly withdrew with a right foot injury.
Wozniacki had to at least match her to stay No. 1, and the new Australian Open champion was pushed for almost 2 1/2 hours before prevailing.
Kerber led 5-3 but Wozniacki had a set point before taking it in a tiebreaker.
Kerber rushed her in the second set and broke early in the third. But Wozniacki broke straight back and her superior fitness shone in some long rallies. Wozniacki hit 46 winners in a match free of controversy after the previous night when the Dane complained about her opponent Monica Niculescu’s grunting. The Dane will meet Petra Kvitova in the semifinals after her match against Julia Goerges ended early when the German retired with a hip injury while trailing 6-4, 2-1.
After the victory, Wozniacki said: “Angie is in such great shape, so I knew it would be an even playing field heading into the third set. I got a little bit lucky because I felt we both played well for big periods of the match. I’m sure she’ll have a great year going forward, but I’m happy I got the win today. “My goal is just to enjoy the game and have fun out there, and stay healthy.
After beating American qualifier Catherine Bellis 6-0, 6-4, Halep announced her withdrawal from the semis on Saturday, when she was scheduled to play Garbine Muguruza. Muguruza beat Caroline Garcia of France 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Halep also withdrew from next week’s Dubai Open, another tournament she has won. Halep relinquished No. 1 after losing to Wozniacki in the Australian Open final. —