It was the battle of the blondes at the Luxembourg Open earlier today with the forever engaging, if slightly unpredictable Sabine Lisicki facing off against the underachieving Caroline Wozniacki.  The two have had enough ups and downs between them in 2013 alone to fill the memoirs of an entire career.  But, they both seemed intent on ending the year on a high with victory in the principality. 

Coming into the much hyped match, both players were slowly beginning to find their best form with their true abilities on show.    

The match, which started prematurely due to the retirement of Stephanie Voegele against Annika Beck in the day’s other semi, started at a ferocious pace with Sabine Lisicki demonstrating her best tennis to hold comfortably in no time at all.  Her booming serve, which has earned her the nickname ‘Boom Boom’, and massive forehand threatened to blow Caroline of the court.   But, Wozniacki hasn’t been the world number one by default and after a less than comfortable hold, she broke to grab the momentum.

Some of the shot making out of the gate was quite simply terrific.  While not known for her power, Wozniacki seemed determined to not be out done from the baseline as she fired several early winners past the German.  Though, the pendulum immediately took another turn as a booming return winner agonisingly clipped the line and sent Lisicki on her way to another break.

If you have ever watched a Sabine Lisicki match, you will probably have expected such an encounter.  The German frustrates as much as she pleases with her mental frailty never too far from taking over and ruining her whole game.  When her serve stops, so does her forehand and so does her ability to win points.  With over 70% of points won on her first serve throughout the year, it is clear to see that Lisicki needs to serve to stand any chance on any given day.  This is perhaps where having a game reliant on such an unpredictable weapon is a rather risky strategy.    

Wozniacki on the other hand, has built a game on the foundations of her immense fitness and her never-say-die attitude.  Akin to facing a brick wall, the dazzling Dane was rightly ranked number one due to her commitment to the tour – regardless of what her critics may say.  She became the number one based on the amount of tournaments she played and the amount she won – she didn’t get there through luck or chance. 

And so, it may have been surprising that the match remained in fifth gear throughout the remainder of the first set.  Breaking Lisicki to love in the seventh game – in which Lisicki plunged an absolute sitter into the net, something she did several times throughout – a few service holds later and at 5-4, Wozniacki stood to serve for the first set. 

At 30-15, Lisicki stepped up and began to play her trademark gung-ho tennis and soon had her opponent scurrying at the other side just to remain in the point.  A huge forehand brought a short return from Wozniacki and as she closed in to the net, all she had to do was thunder a backhand back into the court…she missed.  A near mirror image of a previous point, a ball which should have had the line judge jumping for cover, instead fell to the floor in angst and was met by a screech of pain from Lisicki and a groan from the crowd.  Safe to say, Wozniacki served the set out.

Lisicki is a difficult conundrum. At times, she plays with a gay abandon which steamrolls any opponent in her wake and at others she plays with so passively that it appears that she doesn’t realise there is an opponent at the other end, and instead she seems to believe her game plan will work regardless.

And this overly relaxed attitude cost her dearly in the first game of the second set as a few poor misses and a double fault gifting the break to Wozniacki – not something one would advise.  A quick hold of serve and suddenly the Lisicki game looked close to crumbling.  And again, she was broken easily in the next game but her opponent was playing delightfully; with one half volley in particular a highlight. 

Lisicki was in danger of another Wimbledon style collapse as she shed a few tears at the change of ends.  She has always claimed to be an emotional player, and this is perhaps her most endearing quality, but if she is to ever challenge consistently at business end of premier tournaments then she will need to learn to keep them in check. 

It was a rather contrasting view at the other side of the net as the ice cool Wozniacki continued to relentlessly play through the points.  At times, she played with such an ease you could be forgiven for thinking she was on autopilot, as she subconsciously batted back everything her opponent could throw at her – and Lisicki often throws the kitchen sink!

But, at 4-6 0-4 down, the finishing sight was all too near for the enigmatic Lisicki.  A much needed hold arrived in the fifth game but by now the end result looked a foregone conclusion.  Another ill-advised drop shot later, and suddenly Wozniacki was a single game from victory. 

The funny thing about tennis is that it can often turn at the drop of a hat and when a player such as Sabine is involved then the chances of this occurring increase tenfold.  Her first comfortable hold of the day, which included several well worked points, eased some of the pressure and she suddenly found herself playing her natural game.

The emphasis was very much changing and suddenly beads of sweat began to form on the forehead of the ever confident Dane.  A wonderful drop volley winner and whipped forehand presented the seemingly lost German with a chance to break – which she eventually managed with a trademark winner.

At 4-6 3-5 and the momentum swirling, the match now looked as unpredictable as her own game; with the shot making fluctuating and the crowd actively egging her on, Lisicki began to exert a certain degree of control on her own serve.  Several thundering forehands and a huge ace later and at the change of ends a smile was etched on the face of the German and concern on that of Wozniacki.

But, another fairy-tale comeback was not to be with the merciless baseliner doing just enough to edge her nose over the finishing line, despite some superb ball striking by Lisicki.  At 30-30, the two engaged in a lengthy rally which demonstrated the very best of Wozniacki’s defensive play as she relentless saw off everything her opponent had.  A mini tug of war ensued with plenty of toing and froing bringing out the best of both players but, in the end, a final misplaced forehand sealed Lisicki’s fate. 

While Lisicki may have been predictably unpredictable, the professionalism of Wozniacki was admirable.  She showed her very best qualities and has surely set herself up for her first WTA Luxembourg title.  She just has to beat another German to do it.

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About the author
Jack Haugh
Freelance sports writer, specialising in tennis.