Sweet comeback win for Caroline
World No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki bounced back to beat Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru to end her title drought at the BMW Malaysian Open.
The 24-year-old Wozniacki, whose last win on the WTA Tour was at the Istanbul Cup in July last year, recovered from a first-set setback to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in 110 minutes at the Royal Selangor Golf Club yesterday.
The Dane broke Dulgheru in the sixth game of the first set in a rain-delayed match as she looked to assert herself in the match.
But world No. 94 Dulgheru, who beat three seeded players en route to the final, fought back to break Wozniacki twice to take the opening set.
Wozniacki, however, was not demoralised as she surged to a 3-0 lead in the second set before pushing on to force a rubber.
She continued her fine form, storming to a 5-0 lead before sealing her 23rd career title and making her the first top seeded player to win the championship.
It was also the perfect way to end her stay in Malaysia as she was beaten in the first round by unheralded Wang Qiang of China two years ago.
Wozniacki took home US$43,000 (RM154,000) while Dulgheru received US$21,400 (RM79,000).
“Alexandra played an amazing match. She had a tough three setter on Saturday, so I tried to make her run,” said Wozniacki.
“It’s great to win and it’s great to be back in Malaysia. I didn’t stay so long the last time, so I was hoping to do a lot better this time.
“I’m also grateful to my dad who is here with me. He has always supported me and I can’t wait to be back next year,” added Wozniacki who will compete in Indian Wells, Miami, next.
In the doubles final, China’s Liang ChenWang Yafan, competing in only their second WTA Tour tournament, staged a sensational comeback to beat third seeds Yuliya Beygelzimer-Olga Savchuk of Ukraine 4-6, 6-3, 10-4.
“I’m really happy to win. I did not have much expectations coming into this tournament but I felt at home here,” said the 20-yearold Yafan who was runners-up with Liang Chen at the Shenzhen Open in January.