MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)—Caroline Wozniacki beat Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open, avenging last week’s loss in a tuneup tournament.
Wozniacki, playing her first major as the No. 1-ranked woman in tennis, beat Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3 to make the fourth round at a seventh consecutive major. French Open champion Francesca Schiavone advanced 6-0, 7-6 (2) over Monica Niculescu of Romania.
The 20-year-old Wozniacki, still yet to win a major title, can hold onto the No. 1 ranking by reaching the semifinals in Australia.
She said last week’s loss to Cibulkova in Sydney had helped prepare for their rematch and was confident she could continue the success she had last year, when she won a tour-leading six titles from eight finals.
“It’s a new year. I’m in the fourth round here. It’s good,” she said.
Novak Djokovic knows what it takes to win a major. He beat Roger Federer in the semifinals here in 2008 en route to the championship. He hasn’t added to his Grand Slam collection, but did help Serbia to its first ever Davis Cup title last month.
He advanced Friday after playing just one set of this third-round match against Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki. He was leading 6-2 when Troicki retired with a stomach muscle strain.
“It’s not really the way you want to win—especially if you’re playing against one of your best friends,” Djokovic said. “Unfortunately he wasn’t able to play 100 percent of his abilities.”
The pair spent a long time celebrating after Serbia’s first ever Davis Cup title, which Troicki clinched 3-2 with a win in the deciding singles match last month.
“Viktor was actually the hero. He won the last match. He played the best match of his life there,” Djokovic said. “We’re still under a lot of emotions. A lot of celebrations that I wouldn’t talk about publicly!”