Wozniacki fights off Jankovic to ease into Quarters
Caroline Wozniacki (right) of Denmark shakes hands with Jelena Jankovic of Serbia after their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. — Reuters picMELBOURNE, Jan 22 — Caroline Wozniacki saw off a late fightback from former world number one Jelena Jankovic to ease into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open with a 6-0 7-5 victory today.
The top-seeded Dane cruised early but was made to work hard to close out the match in 103 minutes on a balmy evening at Rod Laver Arena.
“My confidence is high, my fitness is good, I feel like my play is improving,” Wozniacki beamed in a courtside interview.
“I thought I played a great set and a half and then she started playing very well and got me back on my toes for a bit.
“I’m so happy to be through and even though I know some of the crowd wanted a long match, I hope you’ll still support me.”
Up a set and coasting at 4-1 in the second, Wozniacki’s victory charge was stalled when Jankovic broke back twice to level at 5-5.
But the world number one steadied by breaking the Serb again and sealed the match when Jankovic, who notched 50 unforced errors, sprayed a shot long.
The victory allowed Wozniacki to hold onto her top ranking for at least another few days. A number of contenders remain with a chance of swiping it should results go their way in the tournament.
Wozniacki, bidding for her maiden grand slam title, has not dropped a set at Melbourne Park, but faces a far greater test against Kim Clijsters in the quarter-finals.
The four-times grand slam champion Clijsters beat Wozniacki on both their previous meetings, the final of the 2009 US Open and the final of the 2010 Tour Championships. — Reuters
