• WTA Tour

Wozniacki snatches No. 1 spot from Serena

ESPN staff
October 7, 2010
Caroline Wozniacki won in straight sets © Getty Images
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Caroline Wozniacki snatched the world No. 1 spot from Serena Williams by defeating Petra Kvitova in the third round of the China Open.

The 21-year-old Dane, who has won five WTA Tour titles this year, never looked affected by nerves as she stormed to a 6-3 6-2 win in 75 minutes.

Wozniacki has taken advantage of Williams' injury woes - she has not played since July due to a foot problem - to emerge as the planet's top-ranked player.

"This is a real big step for me. To be the world No. 1 has always been a dream for me," Wozniacki said. "It doesn't feel like it's real."

She showed why she has reached the summit against Kvitova, showing her ruthless side as she converted all six of the break points she was offered. That said, it wasn't always plain sailing for Wozniacki, with her serve misfiring at times.

Earlier in the day, Ana Ivanovic showed signs that her game is stirring back into life by defeating No. 7 seed Elena Dementieva 7-6(2) 7-6(4). Ivanovic had lost four of the previous five meetings between the players, but she did not look haunted by her past failures as she overpowered her opponent from the back of the court.

Na Li destroyed Angelique Kerber 6-2 6-0 in a mere 47 minutes, claiming six breaks against her German opponent's feeble delivery.

At the China Open, the draw was blown wide open when top seed Iveta Benesova was sent crashing out by Olga Savchuk.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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