Goerges stuns Wozniacki in Auckland final

AFP, AUCKLAND: Powerful-serving Julia Goerges stunned top seed Caroline Wozniacki with a straight sets win in the WTA Auckland Classic final on Sunday.

The 29-year-old German, with a first serve topping 180 kilometres per hour (112 miles per hour), sent down 11 aces on her way to winning the Auckland title for the first time in her ninth attempt 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

It also stretched the world number 14's winning streak to 14 matches including winning successive WTA tournaments in Moscow and Zhuhai late last year.

Goerges made an immediate statement at the start of each set with service breaks.

Games went with service from there in the first set, which Goerges sealed with her seventh ace.

Wozniacki double faulted at 15-40 at the start of the second set before she began to fight back.

Goerges needed her booming serve to save break points at 2-1 and 3-2 before Wozniacki finally broke through to level at 4-4, sending the set into a tie break which went to the German.

Later on Julia Goerges withdrew from the Sydney International just hours after defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the WTA Auckland Classic final Sunday, joining a growing list of injury concerns for star players at the Australian Open.

Organisers of the Sydney tournament, a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the year, said the 29-year-old had pulled out with a right knee injury.

The world number 14 was replaced by German Carina Witthoeft, 22, who is ranked 49th.

The Australian Open, which starts on January 15, and the warm-up tournaments have been hit by numerous withdrawals by top names.

Former world number one Andy Murray and Japan's Kei Nishikori on Thursday both pulled out of the Slam due to injuries.

World number one Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, a six-time Australian Open champion, appear set to compete but also have injury concerns, having yet to play a competitive match this year.

 

Goerges stuns Wozniacki in Auckland final

AFP, AUCKLAND: Powerful-serving Julia Goerges stunned top seed Caroline Wozniacki with a straight sets win in the WTA Auckland Classic final on Sunday. The 29-year-old German, with a first serve topping 180 kilometres per hour (112 miles per hour), sent down 11 aces on her way to winning the Auckland title for the first time in her ninth attempt 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). It also stretched the world number 14s winning streak to 14 matches including winning successive WTA tournaments in Moscow and Zhuhai late last year. Goerges made an immediate statement at the start of each set with service breaks. Games went with service from there in the first set, which Goerges sealed with her seventh ace. Wozniacki double faulted at 15-40 at the start of the second set before she began to fight back. Goerges needed her booming serve to save break points at 2-1 and 3-2 before Wozniacki finally broke through to level at 4-4, sending the set into a tie break which went to the German. Later on Julia Goerges withdrew from the Sydney International just hours after defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the WTA Auckland Classic final Sunday, joining a growing list of injury concerns for star players at the Australian Open. Organisers of the Sydney tournament, a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the year, said the 29-year-old had pulled out with a right knee injury. The world number 14 was replaced by German Carina Witthoeft, 22, who is ranked 49th. The Australian Open, which starts on January 15, and the warm-up tournaments have been hit by numerous withdrawals by top names. Former world number one Andy Murray and Japans Kei Nishikori on Thursday both pulled out of the Slam due to injuries. World number one Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, a six-time Australian Open champion, appear set to compete but also have injury concerns, having yet to play a competitive match this year.