She's still the Queen of this Castle

With romance threatening to hinder her professional ambitions, Caroline Wozniacki slapped the critics and retained her New Haven crown, ensuring the perfect preparation one week ahead of the last Grand Slam of the season. The Dane experienced a rather clouded period after hooking up with Golfer Rory McIlroy, losing in the first round in Montreal, to Vinci, and in Cincinnati, to American youngster Christina McHale.

Her position atop of the ranking was already much debated, therefore the fact that she faulted miserable at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, combined with her poor North American hardcourt season only fueled the criticism. Even her fans were beginning to worry, as the inexplicable defeats kept on pilling up, a rather surprising 'achievement' for a player renowned for her steel consistency. As in most cases, many attributed her lack of focus to her love fling. She managed to prove them wrong, showing that she doesn't mix business with pleasure.

With Rory cheering from the crowds, Caroline was back to her usual self in New Haven, retaining her title without breaking much sweat. After dispatching Polona Hercog in the first round, she got a chance to avenge her two previous loses to McHale. Stepping up her game when she needed it most, Wozniacki was able to win a rather disputed first set. It was the decisive moment of the dispute, the Dane sailing to a 7-5,6-3 victory after that. She repeated the same scenario in the semis, dismissing Italian Francesca Schiavone, 7-6,6-3. In the final, the world number 1 was even more efficient, ensuring a 6-4,6-1 win over Czech qualifier Petra Cetkovska.

Having now won the title four years running, the first player to emulate Venus Williams' feat, i.e. she won the same tournament between 1999 and 2002, Caroline is definitely the queen of New Haven. Judging by her impressive 17-0 record at Yale, this is surely her favourite WTA stop. Although she isn't the bets’ top choice to capture New York in the upcoming fortnight, the Dane might rely on some newly found love, both on and off court, to guide her path towards Grand Slam glory.

World No.1, Caroline Wozniacki won her fourth consecutive title in New Haven, defeating Czech qualifier, Petra Cetkovska 6-4,6-1. The Dane was cheered on by celebrity boyfriend, golfer Rory McIlroy.

photos:  GETTY IMAGES