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By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, October 22, 2014

 
Wozniacki Singapore

Caroline Wozniacki, with her extended three set win over Maria Sharapova in Singapore, proves that her marathon training is paying off.

Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

When Caroline Wozniacki announced at the end of July she would run the upcoming New York City Marathon, some thought she was joking.

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But no, the former No. 1 was not as she decided to take part in the world famous race to raise money for Team For Kids, a charity that helps fund youth running programs in New York City.

"People ask me, 'Why don't you just run a 5K or 10K?' I'm like, 'Well, I do that all the time, so it wouldn't really be a challenge,' Wozniacki said at the time. "This is really something I need to put my mind to."

Now all those extra hours running extra miles, even after her tennis matches, continues to pay off for the Dane in victories on the court.

She proved that on Tuesday with a three set win over Maria Sharapova at the WTA Finals in Singapore. Despite both women splitting a pair of tiebreaks, Wozniacki, excuse the pun, ran away with the final set 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-2 win that took over three hours to complete.

The victory for Wozniacki was her second straight over the Russian. She earlier beat Sharapova in the fourth round of New York in a similar three set battle. After that win, Wozniacki admitted she felt more confident about her chances in a decider because of her extra running training.

"It's hard work. You know, I run a lot already in my training, so to put those extra miles in, I think it helps my head. Kind of clears my head. I feel more free when I go on court," Wozniacki said in New York after that win.

Yet against Sharapova in Singapore, a weary Wozniacki needed to push herself over the finish line in that third set. She did so by reminding herself that she would feel just as tired in a few weeks back in New York.

"I kept saying to myself in the third set that 'if you can't get through this, if you are going to get tired now, how are you going to get through that marathon? So you better keep going' and I did," Wozniacki said. "I felt good out there and that I could keep going for a while."

Long known for her defensive prowess and ability to hang into rallies by getting ball after ball back, Wozniacki's marathon training definitely has made her fitter especially in grueling long matches. And that confidence she now has knowing she can last the extra mile, so to speak, just might give her the edge this week in Singapore.

Despite all of that, don't expect Wozniacki to keep her extra running regimen after the marathon ends.

"I wouldn't recommend it to other players. It has helped me but it isn't something I want to be doing every year. It's not easy. To do it once, while you are playing, is enough," Wozniacki said. "I find it exciting so that's what keeps me going and it gets me in shape but at the same time, doing it year-in, year out is not really possible. Our bodies get a beating already so I don't think it's necessary to do it again."

Wozniacki will next play Agnieszka Radwanska in Singapore.

 

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