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The next generation of talent is always at center stage of the U.S. Open, but Caroline Wozniacki reminded tennis fans why they should not forsake the veteran 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 (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 on Friday.
“I’ve been feeling very comfortable here in New York in general,” Wozanicki said. “Ever since I arrived here, it’s just something about the courts, and everything else that have made me feel good.”
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 unearthed a killer instinct against a friend.
It was the 15th meeting between the two, with Kvitova owning an 8-6 edge over Wozniacki entering the match. The rivalry dates all the way back to 2009, when they first met on the clay of Bastad.
The amount of experience that graced the Arthur Ashe court between the two 33-year-olds was of note.
Two résumés that feature a combined total of 61 singles titles, as well as a former World No. 1 (Wozniacki) and No. 2 (Kvitova) ranking. A two-time Wimbledon champion and Australian Open finalist in Kvitova, in addition to an Australian Open champion and two-time U.S. Open finalist in Wozniacki.
“It feels amazing to beat such an amazing player and champion like Petra,” Wozniacki said. “Obviously, I knew coming into the match that I had a chance to win, and I believe in myself. At the same time, she obviously has had a great year. She’s 11 in the world, loves to play on hard courts.”
The Arthur Ashe court saw glimpses of vintage Wozniacki. Not so much for Kvitova, who committed 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. After Kvitova took a 4-2 lead in the first set, Wozniacki pulled even, slammed two aces to close out the 11th game and then took the frame after the Czech hit into the net.
Kvitova had her moments, but self-inflicted mistakes plagued her game.
“It’s always tough to play Caro, even she didn’t play for a few years,” Kvitova said. “Didn’t feel that she was away.”
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