Caroline Wozniacki: Against Serena, My Father Told Me “Don’t Just Put The Ball Back, Because You Won’t Have A Chance”
Caroline Wozniacki took her father’s words to heart last night scoring one of her biggest wins of her her young career. In the Sony Ericsson Open Miami quarterfinals, Wozniacki surprisised the 5-time tournament champion Serena Williams 64, 64.
The usually defensive Wozniacki dictated play with her backhand and even matched Serena in aces.
“For me to go out and win against her, I have lost the three previous times,” Wozniacki said. “I thought I played a very good match out there. I’m very pleased about the way I was able to also close it out.
“Serena has won so many Grand Slams and so many tournaments, something that I would love to achieve one day,” Wozniacki added. “So to beat someone like her that I know that never gives up is definitely something that means a lot to me.”
Wozniacki credited her father, Piotr, with putting together a strong gameplan which helped the Dane her first career win over Serena.
“He just said, you know, Just go for it,” Wozniacki said. “Don’t think about the score. Just, you know, if you make a mistake, doesn’t matter. But don’t just put the ball back, because you won’t have a chance. So you need to just try to make her move and play it deep.”
The much-maligned Wozniacki has never won a Grand Slam, reaching just one major final, but this win, she says, will add to her game.
“Well, it definitely gives you confidence,” she said. “Hard work always pays off, so, you know, I just keep going, keep working hard, and there’s always room for improvements. I’m just excited I can always improve my game.”
Next for Wozniacki is another great, Maria Sharapova, on Thursday in the semifinals.
“She’s a strong player,” Wozniacki said of the Russian. “I have been playing well lately and hitting the ball hard. So I need to make her move. That’s the most important thing, I think.”
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