Caroline Wozniacki Wins Australian Open for First Major Title, Moves Back to No. 1 After Six Years
(January 27, 2018) Caroline Wozniacki defeated No. 1 seed Simona Halep of Romania 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 to hoist her first major tournament trophy at the Australian Open on Saturday.
The No. 2 seed now moves up to No. 1 in the world as of Monday. She becomes the first player from Denmark to win a major title.
Many people said that Wozniacki was best player never to win a major in women’s tennis, and when would she win a major.“ One of the most positive things about all of this — I’m never going to get that question again,” she said. “I’m just waiting for the question ‘When are you going to win the second one?’”
“Right now I’m just happy I have this one, and I’m going to really enjoy this moment.”
It took 43 majors for the 27-year-old Dane to earn a major title. She lost the finals of the 2009 and 2014 US Opens.
“I’m just happy that I won the title” said Wozniacki to media. “It’s really special to start off the year like this. It’s incredible. It was a very special moment for me out there on court today.”
Her return to the top spot coincides exactly six years to the date she last had the No. 1 ranking.
Wozniacki saved match points in the second round, rallying from 1-5 in the final set to win. “From being almost out of the tournament to sitting here with the Australian Open trophy, it’s amazing,” Wozniacki said. “It’s been quite a turnaround. Something I’m very proud of.”
It’s the longest gap since computer rankings were introduced back in November 1975.
Wozniacki improves her win-loss record in finals to 28-24, reaching a total of 10 finals since the start of the 2017 season.
Halep reached her third major final, taking her opponents to three sets each time. The Romanian now holds a 16-13 record in finals For the first time in the Open Era, two women have advanced to a Grand Slam final having saved match points along the way.
“I think last year, already for a year and a half, I’ve proved that I can beat anyone out there on court,” Wozniacki said. “When you’re in the finals, I’m not going to lie, I was really nervous before going out there on court, but once I kind of settled in and we had the warmup, I was just, like, I have everything to win.
“In the end of the day, whatever happens happens. I’m going to go out fighting. If it’s not enough today, then it is what it is, but I’m going to be proud of my effort.”
