US OPEN 2010: Brilliant Caroline Wozniacki sees off Maria Sharapova in straight sets to reach quarter-finals in New York

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX4cmFSwVVoendofvid

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By Sportsmail Reporter

Pure delight: Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after clinching victory over Maria Sharapova


Caroline Wozniacki underlined her status as top seed at the US Open with a fourth round victory over former champion Maria Sharapova.

Wozniacki had dropped just three games in her first three matches at Flushing Meadows but knew Sharapova would present a far tougher proposition.

However, the 20-year-old Dane produced a typically assured performance to win 6-3 6-4 and book a quarter-final clash with the unseeded Dominika Cibulkova.

'It was a really tough match, Maria is a great player so I knew it wasn't going to be easy,' said Wozniacki, who reached the final here last year where she lost to Kim Clijsters.

'Reaching the final last year definitely helped me a lot, I got a lot of experience from last year and I'm just so happy that I won today and am through to the quarter-finals.'

Sharapova was let down by her serve and too many basic mistakes, the 14th seed serving nine double faults and committing 36 unforced errors compared to just 10 from Wozniacki.


Great Dane: Wozniacki returns the ball to Sharapova


The 23-year-old served three double faults in a row to lose her serve early in the first set, and although she clawed that break back, she promptly lost serve again in the next game to allow Wozniacki to serve out for the set.

And another double fault proved crucial in the second set, gifting Wozniacki the break she need to complete an impressive win.

Wozniacki will face Cibulkova in the last eight after the Slovakian enjoyed a fine victory over former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.


Second best: Sharapova lost out to Wozniacki in New York


At 45th in the world, Cibulkova is the lowest ranked player remaining in the draw, but the 21-year-old shrugged off her poor summer form to secure a 7-5 7-6 (7/4) victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Cibulkova had not won back-to-back matches in six tournaments since Wimbledon
before arriving in New York, but won her first two matches at Flushing Meadows
in three sets before dropping just one game in beating Lourdes Dominguez Lino in
the third round.

'I would say it was a good match from my side,' said Cibulkova. 'I was just trying to be aggressive as I could, and Svetlana today, she lets me be more aggressive.


Thanks for the game: Sharapova and Wozniacki at the net after their fourth round clash


'I think it was the key for sure, because when I started to be more passive, I let her play, I was losing the points. So I was just trying to step into the court and tried to move her more around the court.

'I was really working hard for this, and I had a tough time. I had some of the unlucky matches I lost and I didn't really have a good run in America.

'So I was really pumped for this. I know my game and I know myself, so I knew I could make it. I could beat everybody in this tournament. I was just waiting for a moment and I'm happy it's here.'


source :dailymail
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