Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday, 23 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark kicks a tennis ball in frustration during her women’s singles second round match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne 22 January – Reuters
The eighth-seeded Dane Wozniacki enjoyed making the semi-finals in 2011 but has since suffered diminishing returns in every trip to the year’s first grand slam.
She could certainly count herself unlucky to run into fellow former world number one Azarenka so early at Melbourne Park, the Belarusian floating like a mine in the draw, with no seeding and nothing to lose after an injury-blighted 2014.
“Obviously she feels great here,” Wozniacki told reporters of two-time champion Azarenka, who was a class above in the 6-4 6-2 win at Margaret Court Arena.
“I think it’s a curse I’ve gotten here. I’ve made semis, then quarters (2012), then fourth round (2013), then third round (2014), this year second round.
“It’s kind of gone that way the last few years. Hopefully I’m going to break that next year and start going the other way.
“I love this tournament and I’m so sad to be out already. Obviously it was a tough draw for both of us. But, you know, she came out on top and played better.”
Wozniacki had worked hard to break back into the top 10 last year, reaching the final at the US Open and raising hopes she might be able to compete with the likes of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova after a couple of years in the wilderness.
