By Adrianna Outlaw
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/ Corleve

(January  16, 2011) Caroline Wozniacki spent some of her off-season training time in a boxing ring and started the season absorbing some hard knocks on court. In a battle of the women who top the world rankings in singles and doubles, the top-seeded Wozniacki  combined her counter-punching control and quick court coverage to earn her first win of the season with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Gisela Dulko in the Australian Open opening-round.

Consistency is the cornerstone of Wozniacki's game. She registered her 15th consecutive first-round win in Grand Slam play today.

Playing with confidence on crucial points, Wozniacki saved seven of eight break points she faced in denying Dulko, who upset former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in Oz last January.

"I was just really happy to go in on Rod Laver Arena and try to play my game, especially against a player like Gisela, she gets a lot of balls back," Wozniacki said. "I  was just trying to keep my legs moving and make her run a bit."

Though she won a WTA-best six tournament titles last sason, Wozniacki was spinning her wheels in a winless start to the season. Wozniacki looked lethargic in a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Dominika Cibulkova in Sydney last week and confronted questions over her surprising decision to leave Babolat, the only racquet Wozniacki wielded in her pro career, and play with Yonex. Wozniacki downplayed the stick switch saying she feels she can play with any frame.

"I (switched) straight after Doha; I really liked them," Wozniacki said. "I had a few changes made to them. I think I can play with a lot of racquets, so for me it's not a big deal and I feel really confident with it. I feel like it's a good racquet so I'm really excited about it."



Wozniacki has never been beyond the fourth round in Melbourne and insists she feels no added pressure pursuing her first major championship while defending the World No. 1 ranking.

"Pressure is when you're put in a spot and don't feel you belong there," Wozniacki said. "I feel I belong where I am."

In the second round, Wozniacki will face either Wimbledon and U.S. Open doubles champion Vania King or Tamira Paszek. Wozniacki rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win over King at Indian Wells last March.

The 20-year-old Dane can retain the top spot by reaching the semifinals.

"My dream when I was a little girl was to reach No. 1 in the world, and that happened last year. But it’s a new year, a new start," Wozniacki said. "I’m just looking forward to it."