As questions about her retirement mount, it was business as usual for Caroline Wozniacki when she thrashed an ailing Anastasija Sevastova 6-0, 6-2, in the US Open quarter-finals.
The former world No.1 experienced little trouble during her 64-minute win against an injured Sevastova, who rolled her ankle during the early stages of the match. Producing 14 winners and capitalising on her opponent’s 30 unforced errors, Wozniacki will now play in her first major semifinal since 2014.
“I think I was just extra focused, because I saw her fall in that second game.” Wozniacki said shortly after her win. “She stood up, and I knew if she can still walk and still put weight on it and then she’s going to go obviously more for her shots”
“But I thought, cool. I kept serving well and made her run. I’m pleased with how I managed to keep composed.”
Wozniacki’s strong run in New York comes a day after her father sparked speculation about her retirement from the sport. Piotr Wozniacki recently told Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet that his daughter will likely quit the sport either this season or next. The timing of Mr Wozniacki’s comments took some by surprise, but Wozniacki herself is keeping quiet about her future plans.
“I think I don’t want to really talk about that now.” The world No.74 said. “When I feel ready to open up and say something, then I will, but for now I’m just here to play this tournament.”
“Hopefully I have two more matches here. It’s really all I’m focused on right now.”
Reaching the last four in New York comes after what has been a roller coaster year Wozniacki with injury problems and dropping in the rankings to a nine-year low. 2016 has been far from perfect for the 26-year-old, however, Wozniacki is still confident that she has the game to play alongside the best in the world regardless of her current ranking situation.
“I still believe and feel like I’m one of the top players and grinding my way back, so that’s why I’m saying for me right now the ranking is just a number: because I’m not No. 1 and there is a long way for me right now to get back to No. 1.” Wozniacki said.
“But I’m doing my best to just play my best tennis and have fun with it. It’s really all that I can do right now.”
Standing in the way of Wozniacki reaching the final is second seed and close friend Angelique Kerber, who defeated Roberta Vinci in straight sets. She has defeated the German twice last year, but trails 5-7 in their overall head-to-head.
