Wozniacki’s slump continues as Williams withdraws

World number one Caroline Wozniacki’s disappointing US Open preparations continued yesterday as she crashed 6-4, 7-5 to young American Christina McHale at the WTA tournament in Cincinnati.

Wozniacki, 21, suffered a collapse similar to last week’s defeat in Toronto, where she went out in the second round after letting a 5-1 lead slip in the second set.

Wozniacki, who holds the number one ranking despite disappointing showings at the French Open and Wimbledon, had only returned to action in Toronto after a month out with a painful shoulder.

Wozniacki, who has been in the news of late for being the new girlfriend of US Open golf champion Rory McIlroy, has not won a match since a last-16 exit at Wimbledon.

The US Open begins on August 29.

Meanwhile, America’s Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament ahead of her second-round match due to a foot problem.

Williams is on a run of 12 straight wins after successive titles at Stanford and Toronto, but the WTA explained that the 29-year-old had aggravated an injury to the big toe on her right foot.

“I felt a pain while playing (in the first round on Tuesday) and I don’t think it’s the right time to be taking risks,” said Williams, who underwent a foot operation after winning Wimbledon in July 2010.

That injury, followed by a pulmonary embolism, kept her away from the courts for almost a year.

She returned at Eastbourne in June, with her world ranking having slipped to 175, but the successes at Stanford and Toronto have seen her rocket up the rankings to 31 this week.

“I’ll take a rest and prepare for the US Open as best as I can,” added Williams, who is seeking a 14th Grand Slam singles crown.

Williams’s withdrawal allowed Australian world number 10 Samantha Stosur, who lost to the American in the Toronto final on Sunday, to advance to a third-round contest with Chinese world number five Li Na.