12 January,2012 09:26 AM IST | | AFP
Caroline Wozniacki was dumped from the Sydney International yesterday, opening the way for rival Petra Kvitova to seize the World No 1 ranking heading into next week's Australian Open. Wozniacki crashed out to Polish World No 8, Agnieszka Radwanska, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
Radwanska will now face Belarussian third seed Victoria Azarenka in today's semi-final, with Kvitova lining up against Chinese defending champion Li Na in the day's other semi-final. Wimbledon champion Kvitova had an emphatic straight sets victory over Daniela Hantuchova, while World No 5 Li downed Czech Lucie Safarova 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).
Caroline Wozniacki
Kvitova is on track to take the number one ranking by winning the tournament. "To be honest, I don't think about it (losing top ranking)," Wozniacki said. "The most important thing is to be healthy and be able play and play well. What happens happens. It doesn't matter."
Wozniacki, whose tenure at the top of the women's singles rankings comes despite not yet winning a Grand Slam in 19 attempts, was taken to a third set by Radwanska after appearing to be in a winning position.
The Dane seemed troubled by a left wrist injury as Radwanska broke her three times in the final to claim only her second victory in seven meetings. "I hope it's not serious. I could feel it, especially in the third set," Wozniacki said.
"I'm going to go get it checked out tomorrow, and hopefully it's OK. "Let's just hope for the best. I should be fine for Australian Open." Earlier Kvitova reeled off the opening eight games before dishing out a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Hantuchova. "I was surprised that I played well. In these (windy) conditions it's very tough to play," Kvitova said.
