Wozniacki dents Sharapova's hopes of claiming year-end world No. 1 spot

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki reportedly dented Maria Sharapova's hopes of overtaking Serena Williams in the world rankings after she stunned the Russian in a marathon three-setter WTA Finals on Tuesday.

The Dane edged a thrilling encounter 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in Singapore as she beat Sharapova and injured the Russian's hopes of overtaking Williams to be crowned the year-end world number one.

Wozniacki said that it was a great match, adding that it's always tough to play the first time and get into the rhythm. She said that she is just so happy to be through, Sport24 reported.

The eighth seed edged a tight first set before threatening to halt play in the second when stadium spotlights started sweeping the crowd during a point and shone in her eyes while serving.

Wozniacki then blew up over a line call and lost the second set, before finally clinching the match in three hours, 13 minutes; one of the longest of the season, and 16 minutes short of the tournament record.

Wozniacki's second straight win over Sharapova underlines her strong finish to a year which has had peaks as well as troughs, including her US Open runner-up finish and break-up with world number one golfer Rory McIlroy.

Sharapova needs to win her remaining round robin matches and reach the final of the year-ending tournament to have any chance of knocking Williams off the top spot in the season's final rankings, the report added.