Ever since her breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki has politely refused the underdog role via public sympathy.
So it should come as no surprise that shortly after advancing to her first U.S. Open final - and Grand Slam final, for that matter - since 2009, that Wozniacki has pushed her friendship with Serena Williams aside in the form of a bold prediction for Sunday's match.
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"We said when the tournament started, 'Look we're in separate sides of the draw, we can meet in the final,'" Wozniacki said, according to the New York Daily News. "She's obviously on fire, but we've had two close matches in the last few weeks. Hopefully, it's third time a charm. This time it's going to be different. I have nothing to lose, only things to win."
Wozniacki wore down Peng Shuai, who retired due to heat illness and systemic cramps, the Daily News reported. Wozniacki was ahead 7-6, 4-3 when Shuai was forced to withdraw. Williams made quick work of Ekatarina Makarova 6-1, 6-3 in an hour to put herself at the doorstep of her 18th Grand Slam, which would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for third all-time in the WTA.
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"She wants to win and go for her first Grand Slam and I want to go for a little bit of history," Williams said, according to the Daily News.
Williams has won eight of the nine matches the two have played during their careers.
At separate points earlier this year, neither seemed destined to play in the final major and most prestigious tennis event in America.
An injured and emotionally bankrupt Wozniacki lost in the first round of the French Open, just days after McIlroy called her on the phone to tell her he had cold feet and their engagement was off.
In fact, it was Williams who rescued Wozniacki, taking her to Miami after both were bounced at the French Open for a much-needed vacation to regroup.
Williams trumped Wozniacki's tragedy with a Wimbledon performance that was epic for the bizarre imprint it left on Serena's resume.
She attempted to play a doubles match with sister Venus and couldn't even bounce a ball or catch a bouncing ball during warmups. Serena could not get a serve over the net before withdrawing.
Williams maintains she was sick but didn't want to let anyone down by withdrawing.
Both episodes are in the distant past for both players. But while both stories would signify a tremendous turnaround from the depths of despair, Wozniacki remains the underdog.
A role that she has proven since the French Open doesn't fit her.
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