Wozniacki’s tennis dream year being overshadowed by betting allegation(photos and video)

October 27, 3:47 PMBaltimore Tennis ExaminerMike Milazzo

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Caroline Woznaicki is refuting any gambling connections.

Wikimedia photo

Tuesday October 27th- Caroline Wozniacki had a nice tennis season going this year then there was the Luxembourg Open. Wozniacki retired from a match with a big lead. Online bets surged and now there are questions.

The 19 year old Dane was leading Anne Kremer 7-5, 5-0 when Wozniacki retired with a hamstring injury "I mean, I didn't do anything wrong. I was injured," Woznaicki told reporters at the Khalifa Tennis Centre that is hosting the Sony Ericsson Tour Championships for the second year.

Part of the problem with this match was Woznaicki’s father, Piotr, was overheard telling her to quit because she wouldn't be able to play in the next round of the Luxembourg Open.These comments were heard online and then large amounts of money were bet on Kremer.

Wozniacki has said she was in too much pain to continue and that is the only reason why her father told her to retire. "There was no chance for me to finish, so I decided to stop," Woznaicki said, “I don't have anything to do with betting. So I don't see any problems."

The Sony Ericsson is the season ending championship that is going to settle the number one ranking between Serena Williams and Dinara Safina. Woznaicki will be playing Safina in their opening White group match on Wednesday. This is Woznaicki’s first appearance in the elite eight finale to the tennis season. It is also the debut for Victoria Azarenka, another of this years breakout players.

(Victoria) is a very good friend of mine. So it's really nice to have her here in the Championships," Wozniacki said. "We've been doing good results, both of us, this year.

Woznaicki , who models her game after Swiss champion Martina Hingis, came into the spotlight this year at the US Open. She first defeated teen sensation Melanie Oudin and then lost in the final to comeback queen Kim Clijsters.

Although she has a nice run in 2009, Woznaicki is not content. "Being number one is my goal," she said. "I didn't really expect to be number four in the world. Now I have three more spots to go. But they're not easy spots."

The Women’s Tennis Association is investigating the Luxembourg match and is expected to have a decision within a few weeks.