Wozniacki’s ‘dream’ long time coming
It took Caroline Wozniacki 43 majors and two failed attempts in finals before finally claiming her first Grand Slam singles title. One of the first things she did as a champion was apologize to Simona Halep following her 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4 win Saturday in the Australian Open final.
“I’m sorry, I’m just taking a second to hug Daphne,” Wozniacki said, pausing as she clutched the winner’s trophy in the on-court ceremony. “I dreamt of this moment so many years; to be here now, it’s a dream come true.”
More than seven years after appearing in her first Grand Slam final at the 2009 U.S. Open — a straight sets loss to Serena Williams — Wozniacki can finally erase the “but never won a major” footnote that has long been attached to her resume.
“I’m never going to get the question again about being a world No. 1 without a Slam,” she said.
Wozniacki will regain the top ranking next week for the first time in six years — beating Serena Williams’ record of five years and 29 days between stints at No. 1 on the women’s tour — in another benefit of beating the top-seeded Halep.
Wozniacki lost two U.S. Open finals and Halep lost two French Open finals before their meeting at Melbourne Park.
It was the first time in the Open era that players ranked No. 1 and 2 were meeting in a major final without either having won a Grand Slam title.
So both players rolled the dice in the two hour 49 minute final, which featured some long rallies and 10 service breaks — including six in an eight-game run in the third set.
“I know that today is a tough day,” Wozniacki said to Halep. “I’m sorry I had to win today, but I’m sure we’ll have many matches in the future.”
Halep was playing with an injured left ankle, needed treatment for dizziness in the second set and had rallied from a break down in the third set to lead 4-3 when Wozniacki took a medical time out to have her left knee taped.