The Dokic Went Down to Florida: Caroline Wozniacki vs. Jelena Dokic, Round Three

The Dokic went down to Florida, she was lookin' for a soul to steal,

She was in a bind, 'cos she was way behind, she was willin' to make a deal.

When she came across this young girl twirlin' a racquet and playin' it hot,

And the Dokic jumped upon a a hickory stump and said "Girl let me tell you what:

"I bet you didn't know it, I'm a tennis player too.

"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

"Now you serve it pretty well, girl, but give the Dokic her due. 

"I bet a racquet of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."

The girl said: "My name's Caroline and it might be a sin,

"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best there's ever been."

 

It's not even the peak of the tennis season yet, but Caroline Wozniacki and upstart Jelena Dokic have already met twice thus far. Dokic set up a third match to settle the score between the two, after defeating Edina Gallovits of Romania in straight sets. 

In the previous two, the combatants have split the matches. First in Melbourne, Dokic slammed the door on Caroline's Australian dreams. Then, only a few weeks later, Caroline exacted her revenge, flattening Dokic in convincing straight sets fashion. 

Since her miracle run at the Australian Open, Dokic has won just one match since. After a loss to Caroline, she was handed a straight sets defeat at Indian Wells by American Jill Craybas. 

Caroline must dictate points with her serve and continue to attack the net if she wants to win. Her shoulder should be fully healed by now, as power was a small problem for her in Indian Wells. Her first serve was still terrific, but with the power back it only figures to be better.

Getting off to an early lead is also paramount for her. Caroline plays with a thousand times more confidence when leading and getting early breaks.

• Caroline is 1-1 lifetime against Dokic. 
• Caroline is 15-6 in 2009. Jelena is 7-4, with four of those wins coming at the Australian Open. Neither player has won a title in '09.
• Caroline is 3-1 in Miami. Her lone loss came last year to Venus Williams.
• Caroline has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in five of her six tournaments played. 
  

 

Fearless Projection: Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2.

 

The Dokic bowed her head, she knew that she'd been beat.

She lay that golden racquet on the ground at Caroline's feet.

Caroline said: "Dokic just come on back if you want to try again! 

"I told you once, I'm the best there's ever been!"