Wozniacki plays down rankings importance

The Dane, who is still seeking her first grand slam crown, has to reach at least the quarter-finals in Melbourne to stand any chance of staying ahead of the chasing pack and moved within one win of achieving that with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of 31st seed Niculescu.

Afterwards, she was eager to focus on on-court matters. “To be honest, I just play,” she said. “I want to try to do my best here and whatever happens, happens. I have proven myself for the last two years. I have finished number one twice in a row.

“The most important thing is to keep on improving. If I do that, I know I can play on a very high level. If you win tournaments, then the ranking will be there automatically.”

Victoria Azarenka, one of three players who could usurp Wozniacki from the top spot – Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova are the others – kept up the pressure with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Mona Barthel. Although the result was never in doubt, the match ended on a controversial note when Azarenka issued a verbal volley to a linesperson after squandering four match points. The third-seeded Belarusian said the outburst was a ploy to wind herself up to get over the line. “I had to get a little bit angry to get my emotions going to finish the match, because I had a few chances and I didn’t convert them,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to push yourself a little bit to get you going again. I am a very emotional player.”

Next up for Azarenka is Czech Iveta Benesova, who thrashed Russian qualifier Nina Bratchikova 6-1, 6-3, while Wozniacki meets Jelena Jankovic, a 6-2, 6-0 victor over American Christine McHale. Eighth-seed Agnieszka Radwanska progressed with a 6-2, 6-2 win against Galina Voskoboeva, as did 22nd seed Julia Goerges who beat Romina Oprandi 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.