Wozniacki conquers wind and Cibulkova to reach semis

A lot is on the line for Caroline Wozniacki at the 2010 US Open. A title in Flushing would allow her to overtake Serena Williams as the No. 1 player in the world. As the Olympus US Open Series champion, the Dane's first Grand Slam title would also earn her the largest paycheck in tennis history - a hefty $2.7 million.

But if she's playing like a woman with her mind on her money and her money on her mind, she hasn't shown it this week.

The great Dane defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, 6-2, 7-5, Wednesday night, and has dropped just 17 games during the fortnight.

In Williams' absence, the top-seeded Wozniacki has won 19 of 20 matches since August 3.

Playing the 5-foot-3 Slovakian, Wozniakci's biggest problem early was a 20 to 30 mph swirling wind that interrupted play several times by depositing napkins onto the court. Her blond ponytail flew in her face throughout her first service game, when she double-faulted three times to be broken.

But after Cibulkova gifted the Dane four unforced errors in the following game, Wozniacki found her range, claiming the first set in 36 minutes.

"It felt like playing in a hurricane," said Wozniacki. "But it was the same for both players and I was happy to get through."

As the 20-year-old Wozniacki did in the first set, she broke Cibulkova, 21, to start the second set before being broken back. This time, the 45th-ranked Slovak consolidated, holding for 2-1 by attacking the net and putting away a down-the-line backhand winner.

With conditions worsening, Cibulkova managed to stay with Wozniacki shot for shot over the next six games, as the Dane struggled to handle balls landing short in the court. Cibulkova, meanwhile, improved her level of play from the baseline, crushing a crosscourt forehand winner to take a 5-4 second-set lead.

But after Wozniacki held for 5-5, Cibulkova lost her serve by spraying a down-the-line backhand wide.

With Wozniacki serving at 6-5, 30-40, the Slovak had a chance to force a tiebreak. But she lost three straight baseline rallies to send Wozniacki into the US Open semifinals for the second straight year.

Her opponent Friday will be No. 7 seed Vera Zvonareva.

"She's playing aggressively so it's going to be a really tough match," said Wozniacki. "She made it to the finals of Wimbledon and now she's in the semifinals, so she's a great player. I'm going to go out there and do my best."