Stosur shocks Wozniacki in Doha
Originally published on: 27/10/10 20:56
Samantha Stosur produced a stunning performance to take down world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 in the second round of group stage matches at the WTA Championships in Doha.
“Any time you beat the No.1 player in the world it’s a good thing,” said No.5 seed Stosur after securing a second career victory over Wozniacki, the Dane’s first defeat since taking over at the top from Serena Williams.
“It’s so exciting to be here,” added Stosur. “It’s a great way to finish the year and everything seems to be coming together. Hopefully I can keep playing like this.”
Victory puts the Australian top of the Maroon Group with a perfect record, having defeated Francesca Schiavone in her opening match.
Vera Zvonareva also maintained her strong start to the WTA Championships with victory over Victoria Azarenka.
Coming in off the back of a 6-3 6-0 demolishion of No.6 seed Jelena Jankovic, the Russian was in buoyant mood but the Belarusian stood up to Zvonareva and at one stage held a 4-2 lead.
Zvonareva fought back to take the set into a tiebreak, which she crucially won and then after being broken early again in the second, the 23-year-old US Open finalist stormed back to secure a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory.
“It’s maybe one of the longest straight set matches I’ve ever played,” said Zvonerava after her 1hr45 battle with Azarenka. “We’ve played so many times before. I’m just happy to get through.”
After taking early leads in both sets Azarenka was disappointed to lose and also felt aggrieved about not getting much rub of the green in the match.
“I had a lot of chances and was very unlucky in some moments. There were like one million nets from her side,” said the Belarusian. “It’s part of the game though. I think I played a good match and I’m still in the group – I still have chances to play further. I’m going to keep fighting and trying to do my best.”
Kim Clijsters may have missed most of the autumn season following minor surgery but the US Open champ is playing as if she never left. The Belgian defeated Jankovic in two commanding sets, winning 6-2 6-3.
Despite amassing 10 double faults on her serve, Clijsters showed little sign of the six week absence affecting her as she marched to victory.
“I hadn’t played a match since the US Open, so I knew it would be a tough one,” said the two-time winner of the WTA Championships. “I’m happy to win. Now I’ll keep trying to do the good things, learn from the not-so-good things, and just be better for tomorrow.”
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