Wozniacki dealing with a tough hand in Doha

DOHA — While Doha may feel like a vacation for some players, that’s not the case for world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane has been put through the paces at the Qatar Total Open, and then some.

Her opening round went smoothly against Carina Witthoeft, but not without a rogue cat trying to steal the show.

In the third round, Wozniacki faced dangerous slicer Monica Niculescu, and was embroiled in an on-court argument that carried off the court.

“It’s the only way she can win, is to put people off,” Wozniacki said to the umpire, before also lamenting about the grunting during her on-court interview.

Wozniacki was down 5-4 in a tricky first set but would prevail handily, 7-5, 6-1.

"It's one thing if you hit the ball and you start grunting straightaway, then you can grunt a little longer, and I don't have a problem with that, but it's when you're about to hit your shot and you're prepared and all of a sudden the grunt is coming," Wozniacki said.

Niculescu wasn’t happy with Wozniacki’s accusations, to say the least.

“That was very bad from her, I have never heard a No. 1 to talk like that,” Niculescu said. “I am really disappointed by what she said and I think she gives herself too much importance. I didn’t want to get in her head. This is how I play.

Wozniacki marched on to set up a blockbuster quarterfinal against a resurgent Angelique Kerber.

It took the Dane three dramatic sets, 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3 to advance, saving the No. 1 ranking for another week (at least).

Wozniacki will have another formidable task in the semifinals on Saturday against Petra Kvitova, who had an easier day in the office on Friday thanks to Julia Goerges retiring with a hip injury at 6-4, 2-1 for the Czech.

Oh, and if Wozniacki reaches the final, she'll be facing a very refreshed Garbine Muguruza (she got a walkover from Simona Halep in the semifinals).

"It must feel nice for her to be in the finals already. I wish I had a day off," Wozniacki said. "But it is what it is. Sometimes it happens. But I'm just going to go out there and fight and that's really it. I'm with the mindset that everything happens for a reason and you just go out there and try and do your best."

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