Wozzes pose at the Toray Pan Pacific Open

At Roland Garros, the big match of the day (for me) was world #1 Caroline Wozniacki vs world #192 Aleksandra Wozniak. No word on whether Steve Wozniak was watching from the stands (and I don't think they are closely related).

Quebec's Wozniak had been ranked as high as #21 after winning the Stanford event in 2008, but her ranking plummeted in 2010 while she dealt with injuries. She had generally played well at Roland Garros, and had played well this year, but had only beaten Wozniacki once, when Caroline retired sick, losing the other seven times they played. But several of those matches were competitive three-setters.

I tuned in when Wozniak had lost the first set 3-6, but led 6-5 in the second, so I thought we might be in for another three-setter. Wozniacki wasn't getting much respect from the female commenter, who said most players were far more fearful of playing #2 Kim Clijsters because she had actual weapons while Caroline simply played a strong defensive game. From what I could see, Wozniak was playing the sort of hard-hitting game that can give Wozniacki fits.

At 30- or 40-all, Wozniak hit a good down the line volley that would have won the point but was called out. As they do on clay, the umpire left her chair, checked the mark and confirmed the call. But the commenters noted that TV's Hawk-Eye system showed the ball as good. Roland Garros officials don't use Hawk-Eye, though, so Wozniak lost the point. She didn't complain, and Wozniacki held to take the set into a tiebreak.

Wozniak pulled ahead and led 5-3 in the tiebreak when Wozniacki threw up a deep lob that was close, but called out. Though it landed out of her sightline behind Wozniak, Wozniacki argued that it had landed in. Once again, the umpire checked the mark and this time she agreed that it was out. Hawk-Eye confirmed it was out, though no one on court necessarily knew that. The commenter noted that Wozniak had gestured that it was out, and was well-respected on tour for her fairness, but Wozniacki began haranguing the chair umpire for several minutes in a manner reminiscent of the "golden" age of tennis. Wozniacki was roundly booed, and when even her father began telling her to get back to the match she grudgingly returned to the line.

I don't know if the argument had any effect, though I can't believe it wouldn't be distracting, but with 6-3 and three set points, Wozniak lost her edge. She dropped four points and Wozniacki had match point. Hitting hard again, Wozniak managed to put Wozniacki on the defensive, and hit a hard smash, but Wozniacki reached it and hit a good pass attempt that Wozniak netted.