After sealing semi-final berth, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber get set to put aside their camaraderie when they go head-to-head in pursuit for a place in the final at New York
Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark has never won a Grand Slam title. Pic/AFP
Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark has never won a Grand Slam title. Pic/AFP
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New York: Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber are joined by friendship, Polish roots and coffee chats, but on Thursday they'll be ruthless in pursuit of a place in the US Open final.
It's an intriguing semi-final clash between a former World No 1 who has never won a Grand Slam title and the current number two who claimed a first major at the Australian Open in January.
Distinct similarities
"We are similar in that we are both hard working. I think that hard work pays off. She's obviously very passionate," said Wozniacki. "Angie's had a great year and I'm happy for her."
Angelique Kerber
The two friends' paths have been heading in dramatically different directions this year. A right ankle injury sidelined 26-year-old Wozniacki for the best part of three months.
Her ranking coming into New York was 74. In contrast, Kerber has appeared in two of the three Slam finals, her success in Melbourne followed by defeat to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon championship match.
The German, two years older at 28, could be number one in the world next week, five years after Wozniacki last held the position. Wozniacki, Kerber as well as sisters Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska have all grown up on the tour, all boasting Polish blood.
The Radwanskas are Polish-born. Kerber has a Polish father and German mother.
Piotr and Anna Wozniacki left Poland to settle in Denmark when he secured a professional football contract with top Danish side Odense. Caroline was born in the city in 1990. The four players' Polish bond is evident in holiday photos and they remain as close as they can be in the cut-throat environment of professional tennis.
Kerber marriage soon?
"We would still go on vacations, but the problem is like Aga is getting married, so then all of a sudden we're like, we just want a girls trip, but it's tough when everyone
has their own thing," said Wozniacki.
"It doesn't matter who is No 1 or who is lower ranked, we always have our little clique. We chat and have a laugh."
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