Wozniacki regains world number one ranking

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki regained her status as world number one when she defeated Israeli Shahar Peer 6-2 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai tennis championships on Friday.

The victory ensured that Wozniacki, who had surrendered her number one ranking to Belgian Kim Clijsters a week ago, will return to the top spot when the new world rankings are issued on Monday.

“Of course it’s nice to be back at number one,” Wozniacki told reporters. “You know, it’s a good feeling. Yeah, I gave Kim one week. Hopefully now I’ll have it for a few more weeks.”

Australian Open champion Clijsters, who took the top ranking on her way to the Paris Open final last week, is not playing in Dubai.

Top seed Wozniacki, who has been criticised for reaching the top of the rankings without ever winning a grand-slam tournament, made a good start on Friday in a match staged on a side court for security reasons.

She twice broke the ninth seed to love and dropped just two points in the first three games, taking a 3-0 lead with a particularly fine crosscourt forehand winner.

“The crowd was sitting all on one side, so (it was) definitely different than playing in the stadium,” Wozniacki said. “But, to be honest, I was just focused on my game. I know that if I’m playing well I’m tough to beat.”

Peer broke in the fourth game but Wozniacki went on to break again for 5-2 and served out the set.

In the second set, Peer earned just one point in the first four games, when Wozniacki double-faulted, and twice double-faulted herself on break point.

The match then became more competitive and Peer broke for 2-4. Although Wozniacki then broke to lead 5-2 she was unable to serve out the match at her first try. She also had to fight off two break points at 5-4 before securing her victory.