Caroline Wozniacki, in her first competitive match after more than three years away from tennis to start a family, defeated Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2, 6-2 in Montreal to reach the second round of the Open in Montreal. Canada.
The Danish wildcard, who announced in June that she was coming out of retirement, displayed great anticipation, movement and shot selection throughout the 97-minute match that made it seem like she had never left the sport.
"It feels great to be racing again," Wozniacki, who won this event in 2010, said in his on-court interview. "I thought I played well in the first set, you know, I found my rhythm, and then I lost my rhythm a little bit in the second. But I'm happy that somehow I managed to win."
Wozniacki received a warm welcome as he walked onto the Montreal track as Neil Diamond's famous song "Sweet Caroline" blared through the PA while a "Welcome Back Caro" sign in French lined part of the level. of upper seats.
Wozniacki, 33, lost the opening game on serve but then built a 3-1 lead and closed out the set in 42 minutes when world number 115 Birrell hit three double faults while serving to extend the set.
Birrell turned up the pressure in the second set, which was even until Wozniacki capitalized on some ill-timed double faults from the Australian to take a 4-2 lead. From there, Wozniacki never looked back, ultimately sealing victory on her first match point when she hit a backhand winner. Next up for Wozniacki will be a clash with ninth seed Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, the Wimbledon champion.
Wozniacki, defending 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 their 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 received wild cards to compete at next week's Cincinnati Open, from Aug. 28-Sept. 1, and the US Open.
Also advancing to the second round in Montreal Danielle Collins, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, 10th seed Daria Kasatkina and 15th seed Liudmila Samsonova.
