Wozniacki wins Tokyo to close in on top ranking
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}By Alastair Himmer
TOKYO (Reuters) - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki outfought Russia's Elena Dementieva 1-6 6-2 6-3 to win the Pan Pacific Open on Saturday.
Victory in the $2 million tournament means the Dane can leapfrog Serena Williams at the top of the world rankings if she reaches the quarter-finals at the China Open in Beijing next week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Seventh seed Dementieva rued missed opportunities after suffering an abrupt meltdown at the business end of the deciding set in the Tokyo sunshine.
The Russian dumped a routine forehand into the net to gift Wozniacki a break at 4-3 and never fully recovered her composure, double-faulting twice in a row to surrender the contest.
"That was not the most exciting way to finish the match," said Dementieva. "I didn't use my opportunities and let her get back in it. I allowed her to play the way she likes to."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wozniacki pocketed $350,000 for her victory while former champion Dementieva took home $175,000.
(Editing by John O'Brien)