Caroline Wozniacki with the year-end No 1 ranking trophy
Double world No 1
All credit to Caroline Wozniacki, who secured the year end world No 1 ranking for the second successive year, the first female player to do so since Justine Henin in 2007, and the first Dane to ever do so. Despite the slightly ironic fact that she secured the year end top spot while losing a match, Ms Woz was all smiles as she received the year-end trophy from WTA mother hen Stacey Allaster, who had some glowing things to say about the bubbly blonde.
In a particularly nice touch, Wozniacki handed over her bouquet of flowers to her mother, Anna who missed out on celebrating her daughter’s year-end No 1 ranking last year. Father Piotr was chuckling profusely at the back of the room, even more so when no one seemed to want to ask Caro any questions.
“No English questions?” Wozniacki said. “This is the best press conference ever.”
So Wozniacki becomes the first Slam-less female to grab the top spot two years in a row, but, let’s not forget, she has plenty of time on her side. Let's just leave her to get on with it.
Nick wants to help
As Victoria Azarenka revealed that she couldn’t stop grunting even if she had to, Nick Bollettieri announced that he wants to help the WTA tackle grunting at an early stage, before it becomes embedded in a player’s game. Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, Bollettieri said he and his team are looking into ways for players to expel air, in the manner for which he is so famous, but without making a noise, or at least not such a high-pitched one.
After all, as Sam Stosur, pointed out, she grunts too, but it’s not a screech so it doesn’t bother anyone.
Too much for Maria
Maria Sharapova withdrew from the WTA Championships last night, citing the same troublesome ankle that has been bothering her since she injured it in Tokyo last month. Credit to her for making the effort to come and play here in the first place despite clearly not being physically fit.
Quote of the day
"Tennis is easy. You don't need to think about it too much. Just black and white"
Li Na saying it like it is.
Things I’ve learned in Turkey
Stray cats are a thing. They’re everywhere.
Coming up today…
Victoria Azarenka v Li Na
The Belarusian was on scary form during her 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Sam Stosur yesterday, and her reaction, an emphatic fist pump, said it all. Can she bring it again today against Li for her fifth win in six meetings over China’s heroine? Something tells me yes. Li Na was lovely to watch during her defeat of Sharapova, 6-1, 7-5, but she was helped by the Russian’s lack of mobility. And, let’s face it, it’s been a little while since she’s strung a couple of wins together. Azarenka is through to the semis if she wins.
Caroline Wozniacki v Petra Kvitova
Three matches in a row for the world No 1, who faces probably her toughest test against the rather green Czech. Kvitova is still working her way into this whole being at the top of the tree thing, and admitted how nervous she was during a rather shaky win over Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday. Still, if she’s on full flow in the power department, which she wasn’t on Monday, Wozniacki will have to be at her scrambling best to keep with her and get a fourth win in five meetings. She may be just too tired though.
If Kvitova wins, she’s through to the semi-finals. If Wozniacki wins in straight sets, she’s through. I think.
Vera Zvonareva v Agniezska Radwanska
Probably not the top billing of the evening, this will be a veritable scrapfest. Radwanska was very unlucky to lose out to Wozniacki the other day, while Zvonareva beat the Dane, so perhaps the confidence is with her. Having said that, Radwanska leads their head to head 3-2, and won the most recent bout, in the Tokyo final, so perhaps that will make a difference. Knocks and niggles might play a part too. Whoever loses is going home.
The daily click
The WTA's second daily diary…watch out for Vika's air kiss
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