Australian Open: Caroline Wozniacki avoids upset to seal place in final four

Despite Suarez Navarro’s spirited fightback in the second set, Wozniacki won 6-2 6-7 6-2 to secure a semi-final meeting with Elise Mertens

Caroline Wozniacki is through to the last four in Melbourne (AFP)

Caroline Wozniacki might have feared becoming the fourth favourite in a row to lose in Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday but the world No 2 held firm in the last match of the day to avoid suffering the same fate as Elina Svitolina, Grigor Dimitrov and Rafael Nadal.

Wozniacki and Carla Suarez Navarro did not get on court until well past 11pm after a day of shocks on the main show court at the Australian Open – Svitolina fell to Elise Mertens, Dimitrov to Kyle Edmund and Nadal to Marin Cilic – and finally wrapped up the day’s play shortly before 1.40am.

Despite Suarez Navarro’s spirited fightback in the second set, Wozniacki won 6-2 6-7 6-2 to secure a semi-final meeting with Mertens, who is making her debut here. Wozniacki is seeking her first Grand Slam title.

“I knew it wasn't going to be that easy,” Wozniacki said after emulating her feat of reaching the last four here in 2011. “In the second set I had the chance to close it out, so I was disappointed I didn't do that. I'm just proud that I managed to stay cool and finish it off in the third set.”

Mertens maintained Belgium’s modern tradition of success in women’s tennis by beating Svitolina 6-4, 6-0. The world No 37 trains at Kim Clijsters’ academy in the former world No 1’s home town of Bree.

Twelve months ago Mertens was not ranked high enough to earn a place in the main draw. Before she started this tournament she had never gone beyond the third round at a Grand Slam event. On the strength of her run here she is set to break into the world’s top 20 next week.

“I'm without words, I don't know what to say,” the 22-year-old said after completing her victory in just 73 minutes.

Svitolina was suffering with a hip injury. “Physically it was very tough for me,” she said afterwards. “Going into the tournament, I had a few issues with my health. She didn't give me opportunities. All the credit to her, because she played really good tennis.”