Samantha Stosur Sweeps Caroline Wozniacki In Doha

(October 27, 2010)- Caroline Wozniacki was playing to wrap up the year-end No. 1 ranking, but Samantha Stosur had Wozniacki's number today. Stosur delivered a potent one-two punch in hammering the World No. 1, 6-4, 6-3, at the WTA Championships in Doha.

The fifth-seeded Stosur snapped Wozniacki's 11-match winning streak in handing the top seed her first loss since she fell to Vera Zvonareva in last month's Open semifinals.

An assertive Stosur controlled the match with her kick serve and heavy topspin forehand that often sent Wozniacki scurrying side-to-side on the defensive. Stosur smacked 26 winners and did not drop serve in the one hour, 27-minute match.

"Anytime you can beat the No.1 player in the world, it's a thrill," Stosur said. "I'm really pleased to get through. It's just so exciting to be here. It's a great way to finish the year. You give everything you've got."

The French Open finalist raised her record to 2-0 in the Maroon Group of the $4.55 million round-robin event. Stosur beat Francesca Schiavone, 6-4, 6-4, in Tuesday's Roland Garros final rematch.

The loss dropped Wozniacki to 1-1 in the Maroon Group. Wozniacki must beat Schiavone tomorrow or run the risk of failing to reach the semifinals. 

The 30-year-old Italian has beaten Wozniacki in two of three meetings, including a 6-2, 6-3 quarterfinal conquest at the French Open. Wozniacki gained a measure of revenge with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in the Montreal quarterfinals in August.

US Open champion Kim Clijsters made a triumphant return to tournament tennis. Clijsters hit seven aces and 10 double faults and did not drop serve in a 6-2, 6-3 victory over former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic.  It was Clijsters' first match since she beat Vera Zvonareva to successfully defend her US Open title. Jankovic, who was thrashed by Zvonareva yesterday, dropped to 0-2 in the White Group.

Zvonareva, who still has an outside shot to surpass Wozniacki as the year-end No. 1, defeated Moscow champion Victoria Azarenka, 7-6(4), 6-4. Zvonareva is 2-0 in the White Group.

Stosur, the 2005 and 2006 WTA Championships doubles champ, can secure a semifinal spot by beating Elena Dementieva tomorrow. Can Stosur reach the final?

"Why not? If I can get through this group then I think anyone's got a chance," Stosur said. "Hopefully, I can keep playing like this." 

Results - Wednesday, October 27
Round Robin (White)
(2) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 7-6(4), 6-4
(3) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. (6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-3

Round Robin (Maroon)
(5) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6-4, 6-3

Order of Play - Thursday, October 28
Khalifa Tennis Complex 
1. Samantha Stosur vs. Elena Dementieva
2. Caroline Wozniacki vs. Francesca Schiavone
3. Kim Clijsters vs. Victoria Azarenka