Wozniacki storms past Halep in Singapore Red Group

SINGAPORE - Caroline Wozniacki continued her sizzling form at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global on Wednesday, rolling past Simona Halep in Red Group action, 6-0, 6-2.

The former World No.1 and 2010 WTA Finals runner-up has dropped just four games in two matches so far in Singapore, and now sits atop the Red Group with one match against Caroline Garcia remaining in round-robin play.

With the victory, Wozniacki has recorded three wins against World No.1 players in 2017 - having defeated Garbiñe Muguruza en route to winning the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, and Karolina Pliskova at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

"I don't think it's ever easy when you play a World No.1," Wozniacki said after the match. "I thought I played really well out there. I felt comfortable and played aggressive when I needed to and ran the balls down when I needed to. I was happy with that."

Playing for the second time in 2017, Wozniacki did not have to fight back from a deficit at the Singapore Indoor Stadium - which she did in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 quarterfinal victory at the Aegon International in Eastbourne. 

In 14 games, Halep totaled 17 unforced errors, unable to find her range against the top-notch defense which was on display from the other end.

As it happened: Wozniacki wows against Halep in Singapore

Wozniacki broke Halep five times in eight opportunities, hitting three aces and nine winners, and saved the lone break point she faced - which would've gotten Halep back on serve in the fifth game of the second set.

"I think it was one of my bad days. I made too many mistakes and she didn't miss," Halep said. "I did some good shots, good points, and I missed too many to win a match.

"After the first set, in the second set I felt that I can come back a little bit at 4-2 - it was a good game, but it was too late."

With the match between Caroline Garcia and Elina Svitolina going the distance, Wozniacki has qualified for the semifinals - with her position in the Red Group to be determined.

"I think playing the top players in the world, knowing you have to play your best level to beat anyone here. You come into the tournament knowing that you can easily go 0-3 in the group, and if you don't play to your best tennis - and sometimes even if you play great - you can still leave a tournament and not having won a match," the Dane said.

"I think that kind of motivates me to just start off strong and just go for it. You have nothing to lose at that point. Even if you lose the first match, you still have a chance to go through. I think it's just a nice cushion to have."