Wozniacki On Top Of The World

© Dubai Duty Free Tennis ChampionshipsCaroline Wozniacki will return to World No. 1 on Monday.

Newly crowned world number one celebrates with first Dubai title

Caroline Wozniacki overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-3 to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Sunday and become the first player from Denmark to lift the title.

The presentation was attended by H.H. Princess Haya bint Al Hussain, wife of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free, and tournament director Salah Tahlak.

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The 20-year old, who will return to the number one ranking next week after being replaced by Kim Clijsters at the top for just one week, was almost totally in charge of the match as 16th seeded Kuznetsova struggled to find the game that had served her so well throughout the week.

There was a moment of alarm when top seeded Wozniacki fell during the second point of the match, but she arose quickly and then dominated her lacklustre opponent.

Kuznetsova held just one game point on her serve in the first set, but failed to hold for 2-4. She then held a second game point when down 1-3 in the second set, and this time converted.

Wozniacki went on to break Kuznetsova at love to lead 5-2, but she failed to serve out the match as Kuznetsova staged some late resistance. The Russian held off two match points and broke Wozniacki’s serve, but failed to save a third on her own serve in the next game.

"I felt really good out there today," said Wozniacki. "Felt like I was hitting the ball well, clean, and I could really stay aggressive today. I knew I had to, because if Svetlana is allowed to stay and dictate, she's just too strong. So for me today it was very important to keep her moving and stay pretty close to the baselines."

Kuznetsova admitted she had played a poor match.

"I just didn't play well. I did too many unforced errors," she said. "She played basic game and didn't have to do much. I was just making so many unforced errors. It's not easy to play her, but in the start of the match, I had few easy sitters and I miss it, I get frustrated, and it all got very complicated because she got advantage and I was behind.

"Then in second set I also did few unforced errors, then and I let her go again, you know, because she wouldn't do unforced errors. I think in the end I found kind of the key to play her, but it was already too late."

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The action in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues with the ATP tournament starting February 21st when players include Australian Open and reigning Dubai champion Novak Djokovic and four-time Dubai winner Roger Federer. Tickets to see the stars in action, for most days, can still be purchased online at www.timeoutickets.com.