Caroline Wozniacki put a huge dent in Maria Sharapova’s bid to finish the season as world number one by overcoming some distracting bright lights to down the Russian 7-6 6-7 6-2 in their marathon opening group match of the WTA Finals yesterday.

The Dane grabbed the final qualifying spot in the eight-woman field but it was world no.2 Sharapova who looked the lower ranked player at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium, as some stunning winners were lost in a wave of 76 unforced errors.

The French Open champion also tossed in 15 double faults as she was broken seven times in an erratic display, with Wozniacki growing in confidence throughout the three hour 13 minute match as she sensed her opponent’s struggles to find a fix.

The third game of a gripping White Group match encapsulated the night for Sharapova, as three perfect forehand winners put her 0-40 up on Wozniacki’s serve, before she blasted balls low, wide or long to let the Dane off the hook.

The duo traded early breaks in the deciding set before a tired-looking Sharapova folded as the match went into a third hour.

Wozniacki broke to lead 4-2, with Sharapova gifting another break and the match to her opponent when she sent a backhand long.

“In the third set I feel I stepped it up a little bit, went a bit more for my shots, I am happy to have won,” Wozniacki said.

Sharapova can still finish the year as no.1 but must make it through to the final to stand any hope of overhauling Serena Wil-liams, who began her Red Group campaign with a straight sets win over Ana Ivanovic on Monday.

Other result: Radwanska bt Kvitova 6-2 6-3.