Wozniacki makes triumphant return to reach Montreal second round
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[August 09, 2023]
(Reuters) -Caroline Wozniacki, in her first competitive match
after more than three years away to start a family, cruised by
Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2 6-2 in Montreal on Tuesday
to reach the second round of the Canadian Open.
The Danish wildcard, who announced in June that she was coming out
of retirement, showed great anticipation, movement and shot
selection throughout the 97-minute match that made it look as though
she had never left the sport.
Wozniacki received a warm welcome when she walked on to the Montreal
court, with the Neil Diamond song "Sweet Caroline" blaring through
the speakers and a "Welcome Back Caro" sign in French lining part of
the upper seating level.
"I felt the love," Wozniacki told reporters.
"The fans as well really were for me, and I had a blast out there,
and it was really nice to be back out on a court where I have
amazing memories."
The 33-year-old Wozniacki dropped the opening game on her serve but
then built up a 3-1 lead and wrapped up the frame in 42 minutes when
world number 115 Birrell committed three double faults while serving
to extend the set.
Birrell stepped up the pressure in the second set, which was on
serve until Wozniacki took advantage of some untimely double faults
by the Australian to pull ahead 4-2.
From there, Wozniacki never looked back, ultimately sealing the win
on her first match point when she sent a backhand to the open court.
Up next for Wozniacki will be a clash with ninth-seeded Czech
Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, who eased past Mayar
Sherif of Egypt 6-4 6-2.
Wozniacki, citing her desire to start a family with her husband,
former NBA player David Lee, retired from tennis after the 2020
Australian Open. She has since given birth to two children, Olivia
and James.
The Dane is the latest Grand Slam champion to return to competitive
tennis after becoming a mother, a list that includes Serena
Williams, Kim Clijsters - who won three Grand Slams after starting a
family - and Victoria Azarenka.
Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, has also been given
wild cards to compete in next week's Cincinnati Open and the Aug.
28-Sept. 10 U.S. Open.
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Aug 8, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) hits a forehand against Kimberly Birrell
(AUS) (not pictured) during first round play at IGA Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
In a battle of recent champions, Italy's Camila
Giorgi overpowered Bianca Andreescu 6-3 6-2 despite a crowd that was
firmly in the Canadian's corner.
Giorgi's booming backhand and precise serving proved too much to
handle for the 2019 champion, who was hampered by a thigh injury
that required a visit to the court by a physiotherapist.
Next up for Giorgi, who claimed the title in 2021, is seventh seed
Petra Kvitova, who was given a first round bye. Giorgi and the Czech
two-time Grand Slam champion have split their four previous
meetings.
Azarenka withdrew prior to her second-round match against American
Sloane Stephens, saying she had reaggravated a lingering injury
during warm-ups.
"Wishing the event all the best success and good luck to Sloane for
the rest of the tournament," she posted on social media.
"I love Montreal and I look forward to coming back!"
Czech Marie Bouzkova upset fifth-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia
6-4 4-6 6-2 to punch her ticket to the third round.
Advancing to the second round in Montreal earlier in the day were
American Danielle Collins, a 6-2 6-2 winner over Ukraine's Elina
Svitolina, 10th-seed Daria Kasatkina and 15th-seed Liudmila
Samsonova.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto and Rory Carroll in Los
Angeles; Editing by Clare Fallon and Edmund Klamann)
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