Tennis: Dream final emerges from deluges

Caroline Wozniacki was on court for four hours yesterday, with her quarter-final interrupted three times. Photo / photosport.nz

Thanks goodness. After all the trials and tribulations of the past week, the 2018 ASB Classic has got the dream final.

The weather threatened to ruin the tournament, with rain meaning no play on Thursday and Friday, but things seem much rosier now.

Despite occasional delays, the quarter-finals and semifinals were completed yesterday, with top seed Caroline Wozniacki and world No 14 Julia Goerges the last two women left standing.

It's feels like the best match-up in a decider since 2015, when Venus Williams beat Wozniacki in a three-set thriller.

Both players are in red hot form. Wozniacki had a great 2017, with a tour-high eight finals and victory in the season-ending championships in Singapore to rise to No 3 in the world, her highest ranking in years.

Goerges is also coming off a remarkable winning streak, with her last defeat in early October.

And the two players are longstanding rivals. They first met in 2010 at the Australian Open, with Goerges holding a 5-4 advantage.

The 29-year-old German has won their last two encounters, including a three-set quarter-final in last year's ASB Classic.

Today is also a meeting of two crowd favourites. Goerges has gained many admirers in eight previous visits, while Wozniacki, 27, has won hearts and minds with her regular trips to Auckland in recent years.

It could also turn into a war of attrition. Wozniacki said she was "exhausted" after a trying day yesterday, with more than four hours on court and a day that stretched from early morning past 7pm.

"I need a good massage, some great food and try to be as fresh as possible," said Wozniacki when asked last night about the key to her preparation.

In her quarter-final, Wozniacki was pushed hard by American wildcard Sofia Kenin, and both players were tested mentally by the conditions, having to leave the court three times due to rain.

The Dane eventually prevailed 4-6 6-2 6-4 in almost two-and-a-half hours, before a tougher than expected semifinal with qualifier Sachia Vickery.

The American world No 122 refused to be intimidated and came back into the match well in the second set.

"I started off really well. I played aggressive and kept the ball away from her," said Wozniacki.

"But then I stepped back - maybe half a step behind the baseline - and all of a sudden, she was getting to a lot of balls.

"She was counter-punching very well and we had some crazy rallies. I thought I had won this [rally] three times and it was still coming back - suddenly I was on defence. But I had to keep grinding out there and try to run her down."

Wozniacki won 6-4 6-4 and will contest her second ASB Classic final today. On her fifth visit to Auckland, she admits it would be special to finally lift the trophy.

"It would be amazing," said Wozniacki. "I've been here a few times and Auckland means a lot to me. I would love to take it a step further and I will do my best [today]."