DANISH veteran Caroline Wozniacki is no stranger to going deep in US Opens, with the former world number one reaching the fourth round for the eighth time in her illustrious career.While the two-time runner-up and three-time semi-finalist is yet to claim the ultimate prize at Flushing Meadows, the 2018 Australian Open champion is within four wins of achieving that feat.
The former world number one brushed aside French qualifier Jessika Ponchet in 75 minutes, winning 6-3 6-2 in an hour and 15 minutes. Showing no signs of slowing down despite both age and injury impacting her over the past few years, Wozniacki is always a threat to any opponent. What has made the feat all the more incredible is the fact that she retired from tennis and had two children, before opting to return to the Tour and not only making up the numbers but rising back up the world rankings.
Currently at 71st in the world, the 34-year-old has not even looked like losing a set in the first three rounds. She needed just 53 minutes against Japan’s Nao Hibino 6-0 6-1, then rolled past Mexican Renata Zarazua 6-3 6-3 before ultimately reaching the fourth round thanks to a straight sets triumph over Ponchet overnight.
Wozniacki hit one more winner than Ponchet (20-19), but was extremely efficient producing just eight unforced errors to 27. She won all seven of her net points through the match, did not face a break point, and instead broke her French opponent three times from six chances. Her 72 and 88 per cent success rate off her first and second serve points were also ultra impressive.
“I feel like if I play my best, I can beat anyone,” Wozniacki said. “I think probably physically has been the biggest challenge, something that I’m not used to throughout my whole career. Coming back and just putting your body through that extra pressure and extra stuff is definitely not easy.”
AROUND THE COURTS
There were not many surprises on the day, with most of the higher ranked players advancing through to the next round. World number one Iga Swiatek breezed past 25th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, while fifth seed Jasmine Paolini and sixth seed Jessica Pegula also booked their spots in the Round of 16.
Czech Karolina Muchova continued her great run at the US Open winning 6-4 6-2 over Anastasia Potapova, while young 18th seed Diana Shnaider defeated veteran Sara Errani in comprehensive fashion. After a fantastic second round win, American Ashlyn Krueger could not sustain it against 16th seed Liudmila Samsonova, going down 6-1 6-1.
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