At the Sony Ericsson Open, for the second consecutive match, Caroline Wozniacki struggled. But, the world number two found a way to prevail 1-6,6-1,6-4 over Maria Kirilenko.
After holding serve, Kirilenko produced a volley winner to set up break point. When Wozniacki’s backhand sailed long, Kirilenko broke for 2-0. Subsequent to consolidating, Kirilenko’s aggressiveness by coming to net paid off again as she captured a second break. Bothered by the humidity and a viral ailment, Wozniacki required a medical time out down 1-4. Kirilenko ran away with the first set the next two games.
As Wozniacki adjusted to the conditions, her play improved. Caroline took control of the second set forcing a decisive third. At 3 all, Wozniacki obtained double break point. Although Kirilenko got to deuce, down the road, with a couple of winners, Wozniacki broke for 4-3. Yet, the next game, Kirilenko erased game point by her opponent and leveled the set at 4 a piece. However, with a forehand error, Kirilenko donated double break point, Wozniacki accepted the gift with a forehand up the line winner. Later, with a forehand crosscourt winner, Wozniacki secured the victory.
From MiamiTennisNews.com:
Q. Do you think it was hard for Maria to play against you knowing she saw something might have been wrong? Was [it] hard for her to change tactics or [did she think] you might not make it the whole match…?
WOZNIACKI: I don’t know. That’s difficult for me to say. She played a great first set, and she gave me the chance to come back in the second, and then I got the belief and I started feeling better. I just kept hanging in there, and my fighting spirit got to me and I was there.
Q. You made it to the finals last week at Indian Wells. Do you think maybe also part of it is fatigue that you’re experiencing with a lot of tennis the last few weeks?
WOZNIACKI: I feel these are just they’re really, really high ranked tournaments just under the Grand Slams, and they are almost two week tournaments just like the Grand Slams. Everybody is playing. It takes a lot of strength not only physically but mentally, as well. You don’t really get to come down after such a big final, so I think maybe it just got to me. Then I had a huge match the first day where I almost went out, and I just think that just took everything out of me. Again, my fighting spirit didn’t give up, and I’m still here.
Short turnaround time for Caroline, she plays her fourth round match tomorrow. Wozniacki battles Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who defeated Francesca Schiavone 7-5,6-3. Therefore, the advice from MiamiTennisNews.com was “Get plenty of rest, plenty of fluids”:
WOZNIACKI: Thank you.
Another easier than expected day at the office for Kim Clijsters; she crushed Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-0. In two matches, Clijsters has dropped only one game. Clijsters is unlikely to have a walk in the park her round of 16 match, she takes on defending champion Victoria Azarenka. In great form, Azarenka beat Lucie Safarova 6-4,6-2.
Justine Henin’s third round match against Dominika Cibulkova was a see-saw ride with ten breaks of serve. In each set, Cibulkova got the early break, but failed to impose her will on Henin. With a double break advantage, Henin was broken the first time serving for the match. The second time around, after Cibulkova saved two match points, Henin closed the deal 6-4,6-4. Therefore MiamiTennisNews.com asked Henin:
Q. What was most troubling to you about her game?
HENIN: Well, she plays well, you know, she runs a lot, and she has [a] pretty good backhand. She’s a real fighter. I mean, she has a strong personality, and it was the first time I’ve played against her. That’s never easy to play someone you don’t know. So that was something new for myself. But, I mean, I was glad about my reaction in both sets to come back. And especially after a good win two days ago, it wasn’t that easy today, but I’m glad I’m in, you know, in the last 16.
Henin’s next round opponent is Vera Zvonareva. The latter won in straight sets against Sara Errani.
In the night session, Jelena Jankovic vanquished Elena Vesnina 7-6,6-3. Sam Stosur, Jankovic’s subsequent challenge, stormed back after dropping the first set to Virginie Razzano 4-6,7-5,6-1.
