US Open: It sucks having to play me, insists Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates after defeating Madison Keys of United States during their 2016 US Open Women’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2016. AFP PHOTO

NEW YORK, United States — Two-time US Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki reached her fifth New York quarter-final Sunday and admitted she’s enjoying being the underdog rather than carrying the baggage of being a world number one.

“I think it just sucks for some of the other players who have to play me early,” said Wozniacki after an impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over American eighth seed Madison Keys.

Wozniacki, a year-ending number one in 2010 and 2011, has seen her ranking slump to 74 after a 2016 season decimated by injury. This time last year, she was seeded at four in New York.

She missed almost three months this campaign with a right ankle injury.

She was ruled out of Roland Garros — ending a run of 36 consecutive appearances at the Slams — and was a first round loser at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

“I know it sounds bad, but honestly, at this point I’m like, I really don’t care what my ranking is,” said Wozniacki who also beat ninth seed and former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova on her run to the last-eight.

“Because if I’m not in the top five I feel like it’s not where I want to be, so at that point, whether I’m 20 in the world or 100 in the world, it doesn’t matter because I’m going to play the same people anyway.

“The main thing is that when I’m on court I have to believe in myself. That’s what I care about, that I know that I can do it. I know I can beat anyone.”

Wozniacki will take on Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova for a place in the semi-finals.

Sevastova became the first Latvian woman in 22 years to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final when she beat British 13th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 7-5.

The two have met once before with Wozniacki winning easily in straight sets at the 2011 Australian Open.

“She’s a tough player. She has a lot of grit and good hands. It’s not going to be an easy one, but I’m excited just to have another shot,” said the Dane.