Wozniacki wins title in Tokyo

Oct 5, 2008 - 12:55 PM TOKYO (Ticker) -- Caroline Wozniacki won her third title of the season at the $175,000 AIG Japan Open.

The top-seeded Wozniacki of Denmark emerged victorious and claimed the $28,000 first prize at the Tier III hardcourt event on Sunday with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over fifth-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.

Wozniacki advanced to championship match with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over lucky loser Jarmila Gajdosova of Slovakia on Saturday.

The world No. 16, Wozniacki has won all three of her trips to finals this year, having claimed titles at Stockholm and New Haven prior to this.

After failing to make it past the first round in her last two tournaments, the 18-year-old Dane turned things around here, losing only two sets in four matches.

"I'm really excited to win this tournament," Wozniacki said. "I had some tough draws against some great players the last few weeks, but both matches were close and I still felt I was playing well."

Kanepi advanced to her second career final after dispatching Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-4, 6-4, in the semifinals. Ranked 33rd in the world, Kanepi was a finalist at Hasselt in 2006 and has semifinal appearances at Acapulco and Seoul this season.

"It was a good match. I definitely had my chances in the second set and I hit a lot of good winners, but she's very aggressive and if you don't keep up with her, she will win," Kanepi said.