After winning a match at the China Open last Thursday, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark replaces Serena Williams as world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
While at the China Open, Wozniacki earned her new rank after she defeated Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in a 6-3, 6-3 match.
When asked about her new world rank, Wozniacki said, “This is a real big step for me. To be the world No. 1 has always been a dream for me… It doesn’t feel like it’s real.”
Wozniacki turned pro five years ago, and while she was broken by Kvitova two times in the first set, she held on and soon broke Kvitova six times. This avenged Kvitova’s earlier victory against Wozniacki at this year’s Wimbledon.
Her ascension to the world No. 1 spot has come in a time where Wozniacki was able to reach the U.S. Open semifinals and the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. To date, Wozniacki has 11 career tour singles and is considered as the top seed in Beijing; however, she has not yet won a Grand Slam event. This, she says, is her next target.
Serena Williams, on the other hand, is this year’s Wimbledon and Australian Open champion. Unfortunately she was sidelined out of the Beijing competition due to a foot injury.
Next, Wozniacki is scheduled to go against Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in the quarterfinal of the China Open.