TOKYO (AP) - Caroline Wozniacki overcame injury to beat Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 and win the Pan Pacific Open on Sunday.
Wozniacki, who also won here in 2010, took control in the second set when she broke in the second game.
The former No. 1 led 5-0 before Osaka fought back to give home fans some hope, but Wozniacki sealed victory in the ninth game when Osaka’s return went wide.
“I just fought for every point and tried to stay aggressive and make her move,” Wozniacki said. “She fought back in the second set so I was just happy to close it out.”
Osaka - playing in her first WTA final - had led 3-1 in the first set but couldn’t sustain the momentum.
Wozniacki, who has faced ankle and wrist injuries this season, took a medical timeout midway through the first set because of a sore groin and came back with a bandaged left leg. She broke Osaka after returning and won three of the last four games of the set.
“I’m enjoying it at the moment,” said U.S. Open semifinalist Wozniacki. “Injuries happen and you never know when you can be taken out of the game, so I’m just enjoying every minute.”
The veteran’s consistency won the day, with just 16 unforced errors to Osaka’s 32. Ruthless on the crucial points, Wozniacki converted five of six break point opportunities and won an impressive 11 of 12 forays to the net.
“I’ve won a tournament every year since 2008 so I’m happy to keep that streak going,” Wozniacki said. “I’m heading to China today where I’m just going to try to continue playing well.”
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