Wozniacki edges past Sabalenka in Eastbourne final
Tennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
EASTBOURNE, England (Reuters) - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki got the perfect boost for Wimbledon as she beat Belarussian upstart Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6(5) to claim the Eastbourne grasscourt title on Saturday.
The Dane found herself behind in both sets and had to save a set point in the opener at a sunny Devonshire Park but used all her experience to claim a 29th career title.
Wozniacki, who will be second seed at Wimbledon, knew she was in for a tough challenge as she took five minutes to hold her opening service game against the fired-up 20-year-old.
Tennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki shakes hands with Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka after winning the final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Sabalenka did break to love in the third game only for Wozniacki to hit back immediately.
Wozniacki was struggling to contain her attack-minded opponent though and found herself 5-3 behind before finding another gear and reeling off the next four games.
Sabalenka was not deterred and continued to blaze away with some ferocious groundstrokes and served for the second set at 5-4 only to be pegged back once again.
Tennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in action during the final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Even in the tiebreak Sabalenka made all the running, moving 5-2 ahead, but Wozniacki kept her cool in the soaring temperatures to snatch victory.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Tennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during the final against Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsTennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after winning the final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsTennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in action during the final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsTennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her final match against Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsTennis - WTA Premier & ATP 250 - Nature Valley International - Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Britain - June 30, 2018 Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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