Wozniacki Out, Critics Breathe Huge Sigh of Relief

Caroline Wozniacki: Just getting warmed up!

Caroline Wozniacki, squandered a match point against China's Na Li and finally succumbed to her critics, bowing out in the Aussie semis 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. But take notice, Wozniacki exits this grand slam as a stronger player with thicker skin.

"I believe if I keep working hard my time will come," Wozniacki said after the match and her critics should take note.

Tennis experts, sports journalists and the “haters” at the Australian Open spent the entire fortnight dogging the top seed and World’s #1 player, Caroline Wozniacki.

Dozens of analysts made it clear, that the 20-year-old Dane doesn’t pack the gear to win a major. She came very close to proving them wrong, but fell short by the slimmest of margins.

Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver and several other “tennis television personalities” had a field day criticizing Wozniacki for her style of play. She isn’t making a statement, she’s never won a grand slam and she isn’t hitting enough winners. Blah, blah, blah.

Wozniacki is a tough kid with an iron will and she will win a major – Whether the critics like it or not.

At 20-years-old, Wozniacki will continue to improve and at some point in the near future – she will have her grand slam title. What will the critics complain about then? I’m sure they’ll find something.

Day 9: Kim Clijsters in Search of the Semis

Some outstanding headlines on tap for Day 9 at the 2009 U.S. Open Championships including the breathtaking comeback of unseeded Kim Clijsters and her return to professional tennis. Clijsters won a thriller against Venus Williams during the weekend and says it is these types of moments -- that made her long for a return to the game.

She took Labor Day (yesterday) off without hitting so she would be fresh for her early afternoon quarterfinal match against the 18th seed, Na Li from China. Clijsters, the 2005 U.S. Open Champion has to be the favorite in this one having already dispatched Venus in three tough sets. Look for her to cruise to a straight set victory today.

Serena Williams, a three-time U.S. Open Champion is playing in the other quarterfinal against Italy’s Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta has enjoyed a remarkable run in this tournament, but Serena is playing on another level right now. If Italian veteran manages more than 6 games against Serena in the entire match, that would be an accomplishment.

On the men’s side, "My Darkhorse Pick from Day I" 6th seeded Juan Martin Del Potro should have no trouble today against the 24th seed, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Del Potro had some injury issues in his last match, but says he’s feeling great again. I still believe (perhaps foolishly) that Del Potro will claim his first grand slam title here against Roger Federer on Sunday. He's too tough and too fast and is ready to shock the world.

Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal remain on a semifinal collision course. But Nadal has to get past a tricky fourth round match against the Frenchman, Gael Monfils. Nadal reaggravated an abdominal strain in his 3rd round match against Nicolas Almagro and had to get taped up during the match. Monfils has also had some injury issues, so health will be a factor for both players. Look for Nadal to advance in four sets.

As for the second seeded Andy Murray, he’s had some up and downs in this tournament so far, but should take care of business rather handily against the 16th seed, Marin Cilic from Croatia.