The Indian Wells Tennis Garden had its best attendance ever at the 36th year of the event. “I can keep playing out there for hours and hours,” Wozniacki said smiling. She won the tournament with her strong legs.
It was her 14th Women’s Tennis Association title and her second this year. She has appeared in the finals for her third consecutive tournament.
Two Weeks of Activity Next in South Miami
Now it is off to the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and all the fashion, glitter, nightlife and extra activities that South Beach has to offer. For two weeks the WTA and the South Florida community combine for what is known as the peoples, ‘Party Tour’. The players will make appearances first at the CocoWalk in Coconut Grove on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00p.m. This area, known for its boutiques, restaurants, and night clubs will transform into a tennis extravaganza. The next evening the Sony Ericsson Open folks will offer the activities at the Bayside Marketplace on Friday March 25, at 7:00p.m. It is free and offers a chance to get up close with the players and be part of the activities.
Other than the U.S. Open in New York this event has the most off-court celebrity appeal. Belgian Kim Clijsters last years champ returns as the second-ranked player in the world and the No.2 seed. She has been nursing a recent shoulder injury. The Ritz Carlton Hotel is ground zero for glamour.
On Thursday, Wozniacki will face either Sofia Arvidsson or Bethanie Mattek-Sands during the day session while former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova will be the featured match of the evening session at 7:30 pm against either Kristina Barrois or Petra Martic.
Palm Springs, California Area Great to Wozniacki
The victory allowed Wozniacki to improve her results for the fifth straight year in the popular Palm Springs area tournament. Wozniacki earned $700,000 for the title.
The winning shot at Indian Wells was the second match point when Bartoli’s backhand sailed beyond the baseline. Wozniacki finished strong winning the final two games, breaking Bartoli’s serve to close out.
Near the end, Wozniacki asked for her coach, who is her father. Piotr Wozniacki came courtside and advised. She responded by holding serve in the next game before Bartoli double-faulted to fall behind 4-1. “He said, ‘You’re playing great. Just keep it up. It’s just one break in the second set. Just hang in there,’” she said afterwards. “My dad calmed me down.”
While Wozniacki is at the top of Danish sports pages currently she also has strong Polish roots. Her mother and father were born in Poland but decided to stay in Denmark after her father retired from playing Danish soccer.
The attractive blonde rolled through the first set, breaking Bartoli three times with and having the runner-up going from side to side. Bartoli was breathing heavily throughout the match that was played under overcast skies. Bartoli also thanked her dad for support. “I’d also like to thank my dad. He was there when I hit my first ball at five and a half years old, and I hope he’ll be there to see me hit my last one.”
Wozniacki got to the final after besting Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2, in a quick hour and twenty minutes. “It’s pretty much a two-week event, and you have days in between like in the Grand Slams. It’s a big tournament, and I’m very, very happy,” said Wozniacki.
She was a sponsors dream, as Wozniacki concluded the ABC Television broadcast with gracious statements for her opponents, spectators and supporters. She finished by saying, “I played very, very well, I thought, actually in the whole match, it was in the first set, I felt like I had the most control. I just love playing matches. I like winning. I like holding the trophy.”
Wozniacki now has two WTA titles this season, having won at Dubai earlier in the year. She now has 14 career titles. She also got a lot of post match attention about her conventional style but very denim-blue colored tennis dress with a ruffled neck strap.
EDITORS NOTE: Lars Hjelmroth is a photo-journalist from Denmark that reports for the Rolco Sports Network.
Photo: http://www.indiantvtoday.com/