08 January,2018 08:34 AM IST | Auckland | AFP
Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki returns to Germany's Julia Goerges during the Auckland Classic final yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Caroline Wozniacki declared she was preparing for a great Australian Open as she closed in on regaining the world top ranking despite a surprise defeat in the WTA Auckland Classic final yesterday. The Dane, 27, is projected to rise to number two in the world when the new rankings are released today and if results go her way in Australia she could make a record-setting return to number one, a position she last held six years ago. Although beaten 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) by world number 14 Julia Goerges in the Auckland final, Wozniacki said her preparation for Melbourne was on track.
Julia Goerges with the trophy
"I've got a lot of matches under my belt this week, it was the preparation I hoped for," she said. "Now I can take a day off tomorrow and fly to Melbourne and get used to courts over there, and the conditions, and hopefully it's going to be a great couple of weeks." Meanwhile, Goerges withdrew from the Sydney International just hours after her win, joining a growing list of injury concerns for star players at the Australian Open. Sydney tournament is a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the year.
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