(Image souce: Caroline Wozniacki)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE

Skeptics still question Caroline Wozniacki’s status as the world’s best female tennis player. But the Dane prepares for her biggest test this season against Belgian powerhouse Kim Clijsters in the Quarter Finals of the Australian Open.

21-year-old Wozniacki has been criticised for her lack of Grand Slam Trophies and is under constant scrutiny by tennis fans and commentators alike. Tennis expert Matt Cronin wrote in November on his blog tennisreporters.net:

“Without question, she has one of the weakest resumes of any No. 1...” 

Cronin claimed her rise to the top was only possible due to injuries to the Williams Sisters and Belgian duo Justine Henin (EE-Non) and Kim Clijsters. 

Wozniacki took the top spot in 2010. And a writer for Sports Illustrated says, like it or not, she has earned the ranking through stable performance. 

“When do we acknowledge that Wozniacki did not get her exalted ranking because she won a lottery, because she has a Super PAC or because of nepotism? She achieved it with consistency and professionalism and by winning a lot of tennis matches -- 125 over the last two seasons ...”

It’s her opponent Tuesday in Melbourne, Kim Clijsters, who in the 2009 US Open Final denied Wozniacki her first Grand Slam Trophy. Wozniacki has never beaten Clijsters, and many are speculating this match will be the proving ground for the Dane. 

Her coach, Ricardo Sanchez, tells Sporten.dk, Wozniacki has changed her strategy, and will offer up a far more aggressive attack this time around. 

“You have to have some respect for good players like Clijsters but not too much. Caroline must get her footwork going and insist that she dictates the game. It’s going to cost points here and there but if she leaves it up to Clijsters, she’s guaranteed to lose,”  

Kim Clijsters twisted her ankle in the 1/8 final victory against Li Na on Sunday and she says she still not made full recovery. Caroline Wozniacki, on the other hand, has hit her stride, having yet to lose a set in the 2012 Australian Open.