Clijsters knocks Wozniacki from the top ranking

In a close match, Kim Clijsters of Belgium has effectively knocked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark from her perch as World No. 1. In the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Clijsters defeated Wozniacki in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(7-4).

Wozniacki will now be usurped by either Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, or Maria Sharapova, all three of whom are still in contention.

Clijsters dominated from the baseline for much of the match, and showed no visible effects from the twisted ankle she suffered against Na Li in the fourth round.

Clijsters tops Na Li in three-set thriller

No. 5 seed, Kim Clijsters of Belgium survived a 3-set thriller against No. 5 seed, Na Li of China 4-6, 7-6(8-6), 6-4, in a repeat of last year’s Australian Open Final.

Clijsters twisted an ankle badly in the seventh game. After taking an injury time out to have it taped, she lost the first set 6-4. Na Li served for the second set at 5-4, but Clijsters broke serve, and the 2nd set ended up going into a tie-break. Li was then up 6-2 in the tie-break, with four match points. With Li suffering from close-out-the-match jitters, Clijsters saved those four match points, winning six points in a row to take the tie-break at 8-6.

Azarenka wins WTA Apia International

No. 3 ranked, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus defeated No. 5 ranked Na Li of China in the final of the WTA Apia International played in Sydney, Australia on Friday.

Azarenka overcame a second-set lapse in the Australian warm-up tournament for a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 win over last year’s champion Li.

After staying on serve until 4-3 in the deciding set, Azarenka broke Li for a chance to serve out the match, saving two break points in the process.

Wozniacki upset by Radwanska, could lose No. 1 ranking

World No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, was upset on Wednesday in a quarterfinal match at the 2012 WTA Apia International Sydney tournament by No. 7 seed, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.

Wozniacki had a chance to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set, but was broken, then lost four straight games leading to a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 defeat. In that final set, the 21-year-old Dane underwent multiple treatments on her left wrist.

French Open champion, Li Na, upset in first round of US Open

No. 6 seed and reigning French Open champion, Li Na of China, was disappointed early at the U.S. Open by No. 53 ranked Simona Halep of Romania. It was over in two quick sets, 6-2, 7-5.

Halep was playing in only her second U.S. Open. She lost last year in the first round. That makes this a very amazing win for the 19-year-old teenager over a veteran Grand Slam champion.

Halep played a much cleaner game, committing just 19 unforced errors, compared to Li’s 54.

Li triumphs over Schiavone at French Open final

No. 6 seed, Na Li became the first Chinese tennis player ever to win a Grand Slam title with a straight sets win over No. 5 seed, defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (7-0).

Li took advantage of one break to secure the first set. She gained an early break in the 2nd set and had break points to go up two breaks. However, Schiavone picked up momentum, saved that game and broke back to even the set. Schiavone went up 6-5 and Li held to send the 2nd set into a tie-break.

Clijsters wins first Australian Open

The 9th time was a charm for Kim Clijsters of Belgium as she claimed her first Australian Open Championship over tough competitor Na Li of China at Melbourne.

It took a new decade, as Clijsters had played eight times from 2000 to 2010. Finally in 2011 she was able to accomplish the feat, winning a hard-fought 3-setter 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Clijsters had reached the final only once before in 2004, and managed only the 3rd round last year.

It was Clijsters’ 4th career Grand Slam singles title. The other three have all been at the U.S. Open, three in a row – 2005, 2009, 2010. She did not play in the U.S. Open from 2006-2008.

Clijsters defeats Zvonareva to reach final

No. 3 seed, #3 Kim Clijsters of Belgium won in straight sets over No. 2 seed, #2 Vera Zvonareva of Russia to reach the Final of the 2011 Australian Open.

Clijsters handled Zvonareva quite easily winning 6-3, 6-3, hitting 18 winners with 18 unforced errors compared to Zvonareva’s 14 winers and 21 unforced errors. Clijsters scored on 4 of the 7 break points she reached against Zvonareva, while Zvonareva converted only 1 of 3 break points against Clijsters.

Li upsets Wozniacki in semifinal

No. 9 seed, Na Li of China, upset World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in a thrilling 3-setter, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 at the 2011 Australian Open.

Wozniacki won the 1st set 6-3, looking like she would easily take the match. She continued looking good in the 2nd set, serving for the match at 5-4. Wozniacki reached match point at 40-30, but Li won the point and the game to break even at 5-5. Li went on to win the set 7-5.

Wozniacki survives scare from Schiavone

No. 1 seed, Caroline Wozniacki survived a scare from No. 6 seed Francesca Schiavone in a Quarterfinal match at the 2011 Australian Open, but prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

It was evident from the start that Schiavone came to play, and the battle was on. Everyone thought Schiavone would be exhausted from her record-long match in round four. She had played more than twice as long total match time during the tournament as Wozniacki. But she came out showing no signs of fatigue.