Wozniacki topples Clijsters to reclaim no.1 spot

Caroline Wozniacki regained the world number one ranking from Kim Clijsters when she reached the semi-finals of the Dubai Open with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Shahar Peer yesterday.

The top-seeded Dane was obliged to play on an outside court, under the lee of the giant Emirates building, next to a cosy row of trees, and with small spectator terraces containing a few hundred people.

This faraway court was the only place deemed safe for Peer, who last year became the first Israeli woman ever to compete in the UAE and who still requires constant guarding in areas separate from other players.

Now though Peer did not find her best ground stroking rhythm until she was a set and 0-4 down, and although she recovered to within a point of 5-5, Wozniacki’s tenacious rallying sealed it.

Clijsters held the top spot for one week after winning the Australian Open last month and reaching the final of the Paris Open last week, and Wozniacki will now cling to the pinnacle at least until after the 12-day Indian Wells tournament which starts March 23.

But the rankings topper claimed she was far from overjoyed by her achievement.

“I’ve said all along I wasn’t sure about whether I could become number one this week, and that my focus really is not upon that.

“For the moment it’s more important to concentrate on what I have to do and try to win the tournament.”

Wozniacki certainly did focus rather well. She began quickly, got her tactics right, made a crucial push at the end when her opponent was coming back dangerously and gained revenge for her loss to Peer last year when she had also been the top seed.

Wozniacki’s last game recovery began at 15-40 when she found some extra pace with a superb backhand cross court drive, forcing Peer to overhit, struck a steadier backhand cross court which her opponent returned into the net, launched a winning first serve, and then wrapped it up with a good net attack.