Denmark’s Wozniacki adds another first

It’s been a year of firsts for Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.
 
The teenager is competing in the Pilot Pen for the first time, winning her first-round match against Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova Monday. Wozniacki, 18, was leading 7-6 (7) when Cibulkova retired due to illness from fatigue and the heat before the start of the second set.
 
Coming into the tournament, Wozniacki, a Copenhagen resident, ascended to a career-high of No. 22 on the WTA singles rankings. She also advanced to a career-best finish at each of the three Grand Slam tournaments this season, including the fourth round at the Australian Open.
 
But more importantly, Wozniacki won her first singles title at Stockholm earlier this month. It marked the first time that a Dane has won a singles title. Country mate Tina Scheuer-Larsen won seven doubles titles in the 1980s and 1990s.
 
Wozniacki defeated 10th-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the semifinals and earned a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Russia’s Vera Dushevina in the final.
 
“It was a great experience,” Wozniacki said.
 
“I played a great tournament and beat some very good players. To win the first title is always tough. The first one is the toughest one. It’s amazing to be the first one to win a singles title from my country. Hopefully, we will get some younger players coming up, and maybe we can get a lot of players for the future.”
 
After her victory in Stockholm, Wozniacki has generated more interest from the media and the public both on and off the court.
 
“There’s been a lot of TV, and media in general,” Wozniacki said. “When I (go) back to Denmark, when I walk down the street, they recognize me. They do. But it’s fine. Most of the people are happy for me and wish me the best. It’s a positive thing.”
 
After defeating Cibulkova, who is ranked 19th and was seeded eighth at the Pilot Pen, Wozniacki improved to 36-14 this season.
 
In addition to her success at the Australian Open, Wozniacki advanced to the third round at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
 
Wozniacki reached the semifinals at Portoroz before her championship run at Stockholm. She also advanced to the quarterfinals at three other tournaments and to the fourth round at Indian Wells and Miami.
 
Another highlight was playing in the Olympic Games. Wozniacki lost in the third round to eventual champion Elena Dementieva in China.
 
“I had a really hard offseason,” Wozniacki said, “where I practiced really hard. I practiced twice a day, and I was doing a lot of strength training as well. I think, mentally, I started the year really well. When I went to the fourth round at Australia, I think that gave me the confidence for the other tournaments that I played in. It just went on and on. I think confidence does a lot.”
 
After a slow start against Cibulkova, Wozniacki was able to force a tiebreak, and eventually win the first set.
 
“I think both of us were fighting what we could today,” Wozniacki said.
 
“It was a bit frustrating that some of the shots I wanted to be on the court were flying (out). I saw that she couldn’t really run too much because she was feeling a bit sick.
 
“I was just thinking that I had to play the points. That’s a strong way to think. You have to just focus on your own game instead of thinking about the other person.”
 
Cibulkova, who also played at the Olympics and arrived in New Haven on Saturday, felt the travel took its toll.
 
“I felt so tired and dizzy on the court,” Cibulkova said. “I just felt really tired. I was shaking, and I couldn’t play anymore.”

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