Caroline Wozniacki conceded she felt “kind of done” almost as soon as she stepped on court against Serena Williams for the US Open final.
Wozniacki could muster just one baseline winner against the relentless world No.1, who swept to her sixth Open crown and 18th grand slam title with a 6-3 6-3 victory in 75 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Wozniacki had designs on dictating from the back of the court, but saw the writing on the wall after being broken in her very first service game.
“I had a game plan in mind, but it was kind of difficult at the start,” the Dane said.
“I tried to push her back, but that really didn’t work for me.
“I knew that against Serena, you have to have a good start. Otherwise she starts going in and being even more aggressive.
“You know, you’re kind of done.”
Wozniacki admitted when Williams was in a winning mood, the American was almost impossible to beat.
“Her results and her career says it all: 18 grand slam titles,” she said.
“You don’t get that unless you’re exceptional in what you do. She is one of the greatest of all time.”
Williams turns 33 this month, but Wozniacki believes the world No.1 is playing better than ever and will add to her grand slam tally and surge past Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who also won 18 majors.
“She definitely has the experience now as well,” Wozniacki said.
“I think that makes it even harder because, maybe back in the day, she might have made not the right choices.
“Now she knows what she needs to do out there, and it makes it even harder to beat her.”
The defeat was Wozniacki’s second finals loss in New York after the 24-year-old fell to Kim Clijsters in 2009.
Wozniacki’s 67 weeks atop the rankings in 2010 and 2011 is the longest stint as world No.1 without winning a slam.
“I would have liked maybe to have more of a chance today, but I didn’t,” Wozniacki said.
“Hopefully I’ll get another one in Australia (in January).”
In the meantime, the runner-up can console herself with a cheque for $US1.45 million ($A1.57 million) and a return to the world’s top 10.
