BRISBANE: Caroline Wozniacki’s first trip to the Brisbane International ended in a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1) first-round loss to Kazakhstan qualifier Ksenia Pervak on Monday. She quickly followed up by dismissing speculation about an engagement to golf No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
The 22-year-old Danish player was photographed with a new ring on her left hand as she arrived in Australia last week, sparking speculation of pending nuptials. She explained Monday that the ring was a gift.
”It was a Christmas present and it fit on this finger and I put it on, and all of a sudden I hear that I’m engaged. But I’m not,” she said. ”Don’t worry, we will let you know if that time happens!”
No. 9-ranked Samantha Stosur was also upset in a night match, losing 7-6 (4), 7-5 to No. 41 Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden to continue her run of poor form in her native Australia since winning the 2011 US Open. Stosur lost her second match at the Brisbane tournament last year, then had back-to-back first-round losses at the Sydney International and the Australian Open.
With eight of the top 10 women in the draw, the Brisbane tournament was expected to provide a good chance to fine-tune for the Australian Open starting Jan. 14. Now Wozniacki and Stosur will head to Sydney hoping for some decent match practice.
”I fought until the end. Maybe didn’t play my best tennis today, but it’s tough to expect that from yourself in your first match back,” Wozniacki said. (AP)
