Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki regains World No 1 spot from Kim Clijsters after defeating Israel's Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-4 in the Dubai Open yesterday
Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki regains World No 1 spot from Kim Clijsters after defeating Israel's Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-4 in the Dubai Open yesterday
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Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki serves to Israel's Shahar Peer during their
quarter-final match in the Dubai Open yesterday. PIC/Getty Images
The top-seeded Dane was obliged to play on an outside court, under the lee of the giant Emirates building, next to a cosy row of trees, and with small spectator terraces containing a few hundred people.
Peer did not find her best ground stroking rhythm until she was a set and 0-4 down, and although she recovered to within a point of 5-5, Wozniacki's tenacious rallying sealed it.
Clijsters held the top spot for one week after winning the Australian Open last month and reaching the final of the Paris Open last week, and Wozniacki will now cling to the pinnacle at least until after the 12-day Indian Wells tournament which starts March 23. But the rankings topper claimed she was far from overjoyed by her achievement.
"I've said all along I wasn't sure about whether I could become No 1 this week, and that my focus really is not upon that. "For the moment it's more important to concentrate on what I have to do and try to win the tournament."Wozniacki added: "Of course it's nice to be back at number one. I gave Kim one week, so now I will probably have it for a few more weeks now.
Sania out of doubles
India's Sania Mirza and Russia's Elena Vesnina lost their doubles clash 4-6, 2-6 against World No 9 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Russia's Maria Kirilenko.u00a0
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