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All eyes on Woz! Roll over Sharapova today, and the path is open to the final
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August 31st, 2014
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This article is more than 10 years old.
Caroline Wozniacki is at her shortest price to win a grand slam tennis tournament since her days as the world number one.
The Danish world number eleven, whose form has dramatically improved since her May split from Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, is now just 14/1 to win the ongoing US Open.
Big hitter in the way today
Unfortunately though, a huge hurdle stands in her way in the fourth round later today in the shape of Russia’s formidable, multiple grand slam winner Maria Sharapova.
At approximately 16:30 CET, the pair will meet in a highly-anticipated clash – the winner of which will become the undisputed favourite to make the final from what is a relatively weak side of the draw.
Bookmakers make Sharapova a marginal 4/6 favourite to advance – a much longer price than had these players met during the Wozzilroy era.
Omens look good
Wozniacki has impressed in her earlier matches, comfortably seeing off 18th seed Andrea Petkovi 6-3, 6-2 in the last 32.
Sharapova, on the other hand, nearly came unstuck in round two against Romania’s Alexandra Dulgheru, the world number 95.
She then went on to hit 32 unforced errors in just 17 games against Sabine Lisicki to reach the fourth round – which is great news for Wozniacki as her game depends on forcing errors from her opponent.
Great riposte to Rory
Should either make it to the final, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka are their most likely opponents.
A breakthrough grand slam win for Wozniacki would be a fitting riposte to her former fiancé McIlroy who has won four tournaments, including two majors, since dumping her.
Live coverage of Wozniacki vs Sharapova will be shown on Eurosport, but only from 17:30. The exact start time depends on the length of the first game in the Arthur Ashe Stadium between Sara Errani and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni – the winner of which will provide the opposition in the quarter-finals.
Should Wozniacki prevail and lift the trophy next Saturday, it will be 30th time lucky for the Dane, whose best effort in 29 previous grand slams was an appearance in the final of the 2009 US Open.
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