The next wave of generational talent is always at center stage of the U.S. Open, but Caroline Wozniacki reminded tennis fans why they should not forsake the veteran players who are still competing at the highest level all these years later.
Appearing in her first Grand Slam tournament in three-plus years since giving birth twice, Wozniacki upset No. 11-seeded Petra Kvitova in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday night to advance to the third round of the tournament for the ninth time in her career.
Wozniacki wiped away happy tears as reality set in that she had just won her first match over a top-20 player since the 2018 WTA Finals, also against Kvitova, which snapped a streak of seven consecutive losses.
Retirement, two children and a comeback to the sport she loves later, Wozniacki is now entering the thick of this Grand Slam.
The Dane is now set to face American Jennifer Brady in the third round Friday.
Wozniacki was relatively steady from start to finish, turning in a consistent performance that allowed her to capitalize on Kvitova’s mistakes at crucial points in the match.
Despite whiffing on two match points, Wozniacki buckled down in the tiebreaker and unleashed a killer instinct against a friend.
It was the 15th meeting between the two, and Kvitova owned an 8-6 edge over Wozniacki entering the match.
The amount of experience that graced the Arthur Ashe court between the two 33-year-olds was notable as their two resumes feature a combined total of 61 singles titles, as well as a former World No. 1 (Wozniacki) and No. 2 (Kvitova) ranking.
The Arthur Ashe court saw glimpses of vintage Wozniacki in the second-round upset.
The crowd didn’t see the same from Kvitova, who committed a staggering 40 unforced errors in comparison to Wozniacki’s 13.
Any time Kvitova pulled ahead, Wozniacki never trailed too far behind before she bulldozed her way back into contention.
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