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Defending champion Wozniacki regains form in Beijing

By Jordaan Sanford

Ever since she fell to the ground in disbelief on January 27, 2018 in Melbourne it’s been nothing short of difficult on court for Caroline Wozniacki. The Australian Open champion was a force to be reckoned with and she proved it when she defeated Simona Halep for the crown.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Caroline Wozniacki (L) of Denmark poses for a photo with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the women's singles final against Simona Halep of Romania, posing with the runners-up trophy on day 13 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
© 2018 Getty Images

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The Dane has always been a top competitor, but since the 2018 Australian Open, the 29-year-old hasn’t reached another Grand Slam final and has captured just two WTA tour-level tournaments. Ranked No. 19, she had also only reached one semifinal this season up until this week.

Although Wozniacki has dropped to her lowest ranking in 12 years, she looks to be regaining form on the courts in Beijing. The China Open may be a special place for Wozniacki, as her last title came on these very courts last October.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 03: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in action against Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic during the Women's singles third round of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on October 3, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Next, Wozniacki will battle Naomi Osaka, a player eight years younger than her who has already captured two Slams. However, Wozniacki holds a perfect 2-0 record against the 21-year-old.

TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 25: Caroline Wozniacki (R) of Denmark celebrate the winner Naomi Osaka of Japan during women's singles Final match day 7 of the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Colosseum on September 25, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
© 2016 Getty Images

Wozniacki beat Osaka in the Tokyo final in 2016.

This meeting will say a lot about where Wozniacki’s game is and where it’s going. She has yet to oust a Top-10 player all year, and hasn’t faced a seed yet in Beijing.

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 03: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates after defeating Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic during the Women's singles third round of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center on October 3, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
© 2019 Getty Images

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Will the reigning Bejing champion continue to march towards the title? Will she keep her perfect head-to-head record against Osaka? Everyone will find out on Saturday when the two competitors square off on the China Open's Diamond Court.