Wozniacki One Win Away

World No.2 Caroline Wozniacki won her Sony Ericsson WTA Tour-leading 55th match of the year on Wednesday, and is now one win away from becoming the 20th player ever to rise to No.1 in the world. Wozniacki, the top seed at this week's China Open, was down an early break in the first set but got into gear quickly, beating Sara Errani, 64 62. It was Wozniacki's first win at the tournament, having gone 0-3 previously.

If she beats Petra Kvitova in her third round match on Thursday evening, Wozniacki will replace Serena Williams at No.1 on next Monday's rankings. In her last match against Kvitova, she lost 62 60 at Wimbledon this year.

"I felt like I did what I had to do to win my match today, and I'm happy to be through to the third round," Wozniacki said. "Hopefully I can play even better in my match tomorrow. Tomorrow is just another match. Hopefully I can win it."

The No.2 seed this week, Vera Zvonareva, had a tougher one on her hands, rallying from a set down to beat Maria Kirilenko, 57 64 62, her fifth win in five career meetings against her fellow Russian, although they haven't been easy.

"Against a player as great as Maria, if you give her unforced errors she will take the opportunity," Zvonareva said. "I kept trying to go for my shots but be more patient, and fight for every point. I'm very happy I turned it around."

Next up for Zvonareva is No.5 seed Francesca Schiavone. Zvonareva leads Schiavone in their head-to-head, 9-0, and if she beats her on Friday, she is projected to rise to a new career-high of No.3 in the world next Monday.

Schiavone beat qualifier Vera Dushevina, her conqueror at Wimbledon, 46 63 61. No.15 seed Shahar Peer and Timea Bacsinszky also scored third round wins. Earlier in the day, Angelique Kerber won her second round match. Read more about Peer and Kerber's wins from earlier in the day here.