Caroline Wozniacki continues to have success in her return to action. The 33-year-old Dane won 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Friday against American Jennifer Brady, another returning player after a long absence.
Wozniacki raised her fist to the sky and looked into the stands at her partner after punching her ticket to the round of 16 at the U.S. Open, only her third tournament since returning after a three-and-a-half-year absence. .
“It’s a dream come true to play here at Arthur Ashe Stadium and receive this support,” Wozniacki said during his on-field interview after his victory. It’s a great honour. »
Wozniacki will face sixth-seeded American Coco Gauff, who beat Belgium’s Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-3, 6-0, in the next round. Until then, she plans to enjoy some time with her 2-year-old daughter, Olivia, and 10-month-old son, James.
The former world No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion left the tennis world in 2020 to start a family. She took advantage of an invitation from the organizers to reach the main draw in New York and she believes she has the tools to extend her career.
Brady, meanwhile, is back after a two-year absence with right knee and left foot injuries.
Ruthless Swiatek
Earlier in the day, Iga Swiatek was merciless against Kaja Juvan, beating the Slovenian qualifier 6-0, 6-1 in just 49 minutes. The world No. 1 thus reached the fourth round of the United States Open.
Swiatek, also defending champion in New York, has lost just nine games since the start of the tournament. The Pole has won 19 rounds to nil this season.
“I didn’t like the fact that I had to beat my best friend,” Swiatek said in an on-court interview after her match. It was like playing against my sister. I don’t have many friends, but she is my best friend. »
In the next round, Swiatek will face Latvian and 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko, champion of the French Open in 2017. Ostapenko defeated American Bernarda Pera 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
American and 10th seed Frances Tiafoe advanced to the third round with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory over No. 22 Adrian Mannarino of France. last, Tiafoe had beaten Rafael Nadal, on the way to the semi-finals.
Tiafoe, 25, admitted that all of his preparation this season has been in preparation for the US Open.
“The rest of the summer didn’t matter to me. This tournament is what really matters,” Tiafoe said.
His compatriot and 14th seed Tommy Paul reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time in his career thanks to a 6-1, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 victory over the Spaniard and 21st seed series Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Paul ended the match by hitting a 15th ace.
“I think I served well and did well going up to the net. I also managed to use the whole court,” said Paul, who reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Paul will now face 20-year-old American Ben Shelton, who defeated Russian Aslan Karatsev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
American Taylor Fritz, No. 9, joined his compatriots in the fourth round early in the evening. He defeated Czech qualifier Jakub Mensik 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
A fifth American could reach the fourth round on Saturday, when Michael Mmoh plays Britain’s Jack Draper.
“They are a talented group who have always done well within their age group. We all played in important matches at the lower levels. Now we find ourselves among the elite,” said Tiafoe, who will face Australian Rinky Hijikata in the next round.
“When you see guys you’ve been around for a long time having success, it also makes you believe in it. It can create a domino effect,” he added.
Meanwhile, No. 10 Karolina Muchova beat American Taylor Townsend 7-6(0), 6-3 in another third-round match.
Muchova, who reached the final at the French Open this year, matched her career best result at Flushing Meadows by destabilizing her rival with numerous serve-volley combinations. Townsend committed 39 unforced errors.
Finalist in Cincinnati in August, Muchova will face China’s Xinyu Wang in the fourth round, who beat Slovakia’s Karolina Schmiedlova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the evening, Novak Djokovic, No. 2, was scheduled to face fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, No. 32. Djokovic is looking for a 24th major title.
