Giant-killer Vinci finds comfort in sticking to routine

By Frank Pingue

"No. Nothing special, nothing -- no change," Vinci told reporters after recording the biggest upset of the tournament. "I have the same coach, the same trainer, same friends."

Vinci moves on to the last 16 for a match against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic. She trails Ivanovic 4-1 lifetime but won in their only match this year at Pattaya City.

After holding serve during a first set where Wozniacki was spraying the ball long and wide, the world number 22 was broken twice in the second and appeared ready to let her opponent back in the match.

But Vinci noticed Wozniacki was struggling with the windy conditions and managed to break her serve three times in the second set to secure the victory.

"I was 5-1 down but I knew that I could win the set, because there was a lot of wind, so some mistakes, some balls, I was focused on every point," said Vinci.

"I tried to stay focused and play aggressive, some slice on her forehand when it was possible. And that's it."

The top-seeded Dane, often called the best female player to never win a grand slam, credited Vinci for never allowing her to play the game that has made her the world number one.

"That's the kind of game she plays. She likes to break the opponent's rhythm," said Wozniacki. "She's slicing the ball ... she was just getting a lot of balls back as well and just did better today than I did."

If there was any doubt about where a win over the tournament's top seed and world's highest ranked player ranks in her career, Vinci was certain to clear the air.

"This is the best victory in my life."

(Editing by Rex Gowar)