In this first round clash, former world number one and last years runner-up Caroline Wozniacki, faced off against the world number 57 Danka Kovinic. Both players were looking to get their 2016 season off to a winning start. After a hard-fought battle, Wozniacki took the match in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-4.
Wozniacki Battles Back To Take The First Set
Kovinic started off brightly in Auckland, breaking Wozniacki's serve in the very first game and then consolidated the break by holding her own serve. Playing fearless tennis, with forehands hitting every line and a powerful serve, the youngster from Montenegro was taking control of the match, again breaking her Danish opponents serve to put herself 3-0 up.
In what was their first ever meeting, it was clear that Wozniacki was unsure on how to deal with her opponent and her game was filled with errors, one of which happened to give Kovinic the third game. The fourth game of the set, was a similar story to the other three, some strong hitting from the world number 57 and a wild return of serve from the Dane, gave the 21-year-old a 4-0 lead.
However, things started to look more positive for the number three seed in the fifth game of the set. On her third time of trying, Wozniacki managed to hold serve and break some of the momentum her opponent had. The next game could be seen as a turning point for the set, as at 30-30 Kovinic hit a double-fault to gift Wozniacki break point.
The world number 17 came into the net and hit a volley to take the game on her very first opportunity. From here, Wozniacki became much more aggressive as she started to move her opponent around the court. The Danish player, managed to hold her serve once again, putting pressure on her opponent to hold serve.
Despite a beautiful drop shot to give herself a 15-0 lead on her service game, Kovinic failed to hold serve. Another double-fault at 30-30 gave Wozniacki a break point opportunity, which she took yet again. For the first time in the match, the world number seventeen gained the lead, by holding her serve after a lot of errors from her opponent.
Midway through the tenth game there was a brilliant rally, which resulted in both players running all over the court to retrieve the ball. In the end, it was the number three seed who took the point after playing a beautiful passing shot to which her opponent applauded. This gave Wozniacki set point, which she utilized, taking the set 6-4.
Kovinic Shows Fighting Spirit But Wozniacki Too Stong
The second set was completely different to the first. Both players managed to get off to a strong start by holding their serve. It was the 21-year-old from Montenegro who gained momentum first though, by breaking Wozniacki's serve to love. Kovinic's lead did not last long, as another unforced error gave her opponent the break, bringing the score to 2-2. After two consecutive breaks, both the world number 17 and the world number 57 managed to hold their serves once again.
In the seventh game of the set, last years runner-up took control of her service game by holding to love. This put the pressure on the 21-year-old to hold her serve but despite playing some good shots, she ended up getting broken once more, giving Wozniacki the chance to serve for the match. It looked to be over for Kovinic as her opponent seemed to have control.
However, the world number 57 showed her fighting spirit and managed to break straight back, meaning she had the chance to serve to stay in the match. After a battle by both players, it was Wozniacki who took the set and the match after a couple of errors from her opponent, allowed her to break serve.
The handshake at the net was one of respect by both players, after a very entertaining match, which lasted just under one and a half hours.
Match Stats
Both players hit three aces. Kovinic hit three double faults to Wozniacki's zero. The Dane hit nearly 70 percent of her first serves in while Kovinic hit only 50 percent of her first serves in.
Both women were efficient in converting break points. Kovinic won 4 of 5 break points while Wozniacki won 6 of 7.
Wozniacki had a first serve percentage of 68, Kovinic's was 50.