Wozniacki rues missed chances after Li defeat
Reuters US Online Report Sports News | 2010-01-25 07:03:18
<div><p>MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Caroline Wozniacki's dramatic rise through women's tennis was halted Monday when Chinese 16th seed Li Na dumped her out of the fourth round of the Australian Open 6-4 6-3. The 19-year-old Dane, who stormed into the world's top five on the back of three titles and a U.S. Open final last year, had declared herself free of the big-match nerves that plague young players after thrashing Israel's Shahar Peer in the third round.</p><p>Against hard-hitting Li, however, the bravado disappeared all too quickly when challenged in the first set, and remained absent when the Chinese offered a number of opportunities to level in the second.</p><p>"I had my chances especially in the first set leading. I had my chance (to go to) 5-2 and didn't take it," a gloomy Wozniacki, who advanced to the fourth round without conceding a set, told reporters.</p><p>"I tried to hang in there but it just didn't go my way today."</p><p>The loss was her second in two weeks to the dangerous Li, who has proved her giant-killing credentials with wins over three top-10 players last year.</p><p>"Against her you need to just play on your highest level the whole match through and keep concentrated and keep a lot of balls in play," Wozniacki said.</p><p>The Dane played in some discomfort and had her leg strapped by a trainer while trailing 3-1 in the second, but said it "didn't affect the score at the end."</p><p>Having enjoyed the packed crowds of a grand slam center court far quicker than most players her age, Wozniacki now faces a lonelier, more introspective spell on the practice court.</p><p>"I need to go back and work and go back stronger," she said.</p><p>"There's a long way to go and a long year ahead of me and now I'm gonna practice and work even harder and come back stronger."</p><p>(Editing by Patrick Johnston)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=67726336&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
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