MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Isang laro na lamang ang pagitan ni Caroline Wozniacki para matuldukan ang mahabang panahong kabiguan sa Grand Slam event.

Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki reacts after winning a point against Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their semifinal at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Ginapi ni Wozniacki si Elise Mertens, 6-3, 7-6 (2), nitong Huwebes upang makausad sa championship match ng Australian Open. Ito ang kanyang nang Grand Slam final sa labas ng United States. Nabigo siya sa U.S. Open finals noong 2009 kay Kim Clijsters at kay Serena Williams noong 2014.

Matikas na nakihamok ang 22-anyos na Mertens, ngunit nanaig ang karanasan at determinasyon ni Wozniacki sa krusyal na sandali.

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“It means so much to me. I got really tight at 5-4. I kind of felt head against the wall,” pahayag ni Wozniacki.

“I knew I had to try and stay calm. Once she had set points. I thought, ‘OK, now you just have to go for it ... she’s nervous now too.”

Ito ang unang sabak ni Mertens, nagsanay sa Clijsters Academy sa Belgium, sa Australian Open.

Napipintong makuha ni Wozniacki ang world No.1 ranking sa unang pagkakataon, depende sa magiging resulta ng championship match kontra No.1 ranked Simona Halep, nagwagi kay 2016 champion Angelique Kerber.