Caroline injured and out; Zvonareva to meet Stosur for title in Charleston

Caroline Wozniacki's quest for the Family Circle Cup title will have to wait for another year, after she sprained her ankle in the first set of her semifinal against Vera Zvonareva and retired a few points later.

Wozniacki, who was 8-0 in the American clay court swing going into the match - winning five matches to take the title in Ponte Vedra Beach last week then extending the streak with three more wins in Charleston - was down 4-2 to Zvonareva when she rolled her ankle chasing down a short ball, falling to the court and, in tears, getting it taped up by the Primary Health Care Provider.

The tape didn't do the trick, though: she stopped a few points later.

"When I fell I heard a snap. I knew right away something was wrong," Wozniacki said. "I wanted to see if it was possible to keep playing. I was surprised I could still stand on my leg. But when I moved to the sides, it was impossible."

Zvonareva, who injured her ankle in Charleston last year, was sympathetic to Wozniacki like nobody else on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour could be.

"When I saw Caroline twist her ankle I had flashbacks in my mind. I even feel like I have pain in my ankle right now," Zvonareva said. "I don't wish anyone to be in that situation because last year it was very difficult for me. I can only imagine what Caroline is going through now. I just wish her a quick recovery."

"Vera had the same experience here last year and her injury was really bad," Wozniacki said. "At the net she told me to take care of it and to make sure I'm okay before I start playing again. I have to look at the MRI tomorrow..."

Wozniacki was the No.1 seed in Charleston; Zvonareva is seeded No.7.

Following Zvonareva into the final was No.4 seed Samantha Stosur, a 63 76(2) winner over No.8 seed Daniela Hantuchova. After taking the first set Stosur was in all sorts of trouble in the second, falling behind 5-2 and even facing double set point at 5-4 down; but she hung tough to close it out in straight sets.

"I expected a tough match from Daniela," Stosur said. "We hadn't played each other for a few years but actually practiced with each other right at the start of the week, so I guess we both got an idea about what we were going to do today.

"Overall, I'm very pleased. Obviously very happy to come back from 5-2 in the second set. I was glad to finish it in two sets."

Stosur and Zvonareva will be playing each other for the seventh time but first on clay. Stosur leads the head-to-head series, 4-2.


Saturday, April 17, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 52 ret. (right ankle sprain)
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (8) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 63 76(2)