At last, Wozniacki on verge of being redeemed in final
MELBOURNE, Australia — Caroline Wozniacki was able to control her nerves this time, reaching her first Australian Open final seven years after squandering a match point and losing in her only previous run to the semis.
Former No. 1-ranked Wozniacki is potentially one win away from a breakthrough Grand Slam title after advancing 6-3, 7-6 (2) over Elise Mertens on Thursday.
It’s her first Grand Slam final anywhere outside of America, where she lost U.S. Open finals in 2009 (to Kim Clijsters) and 2014 (to Serena Williams).
Wozniacki appeared to be coasting against the 22-year-old Mertens, getting breaks in the middle of each set. But she began getting tight when she was serving for the match at 5-4. From 30-15, she double-faulted twice and Mertens passed her with a forehand winner in between to level at 5-5.
The No. 37-ranked Mertens lifted her intensity, holding serve at love and then having two set points in the next game before Wozniacki eventually held in a serving game lasting 8½ minutes.
Wozniacki dominated the tiebreaker, putting memories of her last Australian Open semifinal behind her — she had match points against Li Na in the semifinal in 2011, but was unable to convert.
“It means so much to me. I got really tight at 5-4. I kind of felt my head against the wall,” Wozniacki said. “I knew I had to try and stay calm.
“Once she had set points. I thought, ‘OK, now you just have to go for it . ... She’s nervous now, too.”
Mertens, who trains at Clijsters’ academy in Belgium, was appearing in the semifinals on her debut at Melbourne Park and in just her fifth Grand Slam tournament. She had won 10 matches in a row after successfully defending her Hobart International title two weeks ago.
She took out No. 4seeded Elina Svitolina in straight sets in the quarterfinals but was struggling to match a consistent Wozniacki until late in the second set.
No. 1-ranked Simona Halep played two-time major winner Angelique Kerber later Thursday in the second semifinal.