Wozniacki, Jankovic look part of winners

Caroline Wozniacki has come well-accessorized to the BNP Paribas Open with her dangling earrings and (newly sponsored) Rolex and silvery tennis dress. She also has come with vibrant groundstrokes and the fortitude to win no matter how long it takes.

Second-seeded Wozniacki beat her good friend and the fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, 6-2, 6-3, in 1 hour 38 minutes Friday night in the semifinals at Indian Wells. She will play sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic on Sunday in the final. Jankovic of Serbia beat eighth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur, 6-2, 6-4, Friday.

With top-ranked Serena Williams announcing she was withdrawing from next week’s big tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., because of a knee injury and with second-ranked Dinara Safina sidelined because of a back injury, Wozniacki is stepping into the spotlight void for women’s tennis.

Whether she wins or loses Sunday, the 19-year-old from Denmark, will be ranked No. 2 in the world next week, ahead of Safina, cementing her breakthrough performance at last September’s U.S. Open, where she made it to the finals.

“I think I’m a great player,” Wozniacki said. “I’ve done a lot of good results, and it’s not easy to beat me. The opponent has to play really well to beat me.”

And Wozniacki had spent more time on the court than any of the four semifinalists, a testament to her resourcefulness. She is willing to construct careful points. She doesn’t seem to feel the need for speed.

“I think I’m just a fighter,” she said.

Jankovic, 25, gave credit to her consistent return of serve. “I thought that was the key,” Jankovic said. “It made everything easier for me.”

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