Returning Caroline Wozniacki ‘not surprised’ by US Open run
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Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki celebrates winning her US Open third-round match against American Jennifer Brady.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW YORK – Caroline Wozniacki said that she always believed she could return to the top level of tennis after reaching the last 16 of the US Open on Friday, in her first Grand Slam appearance in over three years.
The former world No. 1 kept her fairy-tale comeback run in New York going with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over American Jennifer Brady, setting up a meeting with the in-form Coco Gauff on Sunday.
The Dane retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, and the mother of two is playing in just her third event since returning to the tour in Montreal in August.
“Honestly, not really,” the 33-year-old said with a smile, when asked if she was surprised by her level at a tournament where she first reached the fourth round as a teenager in 2008.
“I guess I always had the belief in myself. It takes a little time just to get back into the match rhythm.
“Knowing what I’ve experienced throughout my career, I knew where I was at. Obviously day by day I feel like I’m getting a little bit better.
“Would I have been surprised had I lost in the first round? No. Would I be surprised if I keep winning? Also no.”
Wozniacki, who was handed a wild card into Flushing Meadows, trailed Brady by a set and a break but won 12 of the final 14 games.
“If I play my best tennis, I know I’m tough to beat,” added the US Open finalist in 2009 and 2014.
“At this point I’m just happy to be in the fourth round, and anything can happen from now on, as well.”
However, she is unsure regarding her long-term plans.
“I don’t know how long I’m going to play. Am I going to play one year? Five years? I have no idea,” said Wozniacki.
“All I know right now is that I’m really enjoying this moment. To be able to play on these big courts in front of a big crowd, it’s something very special.”
Gauff won the final 10 games of her match against Elise Mertens, completing a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 comeback.
“When she retired I remember saying that I wish I could have played her. So that wish came true so I’m really excited,” the American teenager said of facing Wozniacki, whose sole Slam title came in 2018 in Melbourne.
“I don’t know if it’s a battle of generations... I think it’s going to be an exciting match.”
China’s Wang Xinyu also stormed into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time on Friday, booking her place in the fourth round with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
The 21-year-old from Shenzhen, who will play Czech 10th seed Karolina Muchova on Sunday, had never been past the first round here before this edition.
Wang is hoping to emulate her idol, Li Na, the only Chinese woman to win a Grand Slam singles title with her victories at the French Open (2011) and Australian Open (2014).
“She was very inspiring and hopefully I can be the next,” she said. AFP, REUTERS
