Former World number one Caroline Wozniacki came back from 4-0 down in the first set to complete a great win against Svetlana Kuznetsova, winning 6-4 6-4.
Now ranked 51 in the world, the Dane has suffered with injuries and a loss of form. After winning her first Grand Slam match of the year in the first round against Taylor Townsend, it was expected that Wozniacki’s joy was to be short-lived against top ten ranked Kuznetsova.
Slow start for Wozniacki
It appeared that Wozniacki would be making an early exit as Kuznetsova raced into a 4-0 lead as Wozniacki looked out of sorts. After saving a break point to prevent Kuznetsova going 5-0 ahead, Wozniacki eventually held before going on an astonishing run, winning five more games to stun Kuznetsova and take the first set 6-4.
The second set appeared to be more of the same as Wozniacki broke to take a 3-1 which would be the first break of three in a row with Wozniacki emerging with a break lead. Serving for the match however, Wozniacki couldn’t close the deal as the 26-year-old was broken. Not to be disheartened though, Wozniacki forged a break point on Kuznetsova’s service game and took it at the first time of asking to seal a memorable win.
Where next?
Sealing her first top ten win since September 2015 where she beat Angelique Kerber in Tokyo, Wozniacki will move into the third round in New York where she will face Monica Niculescu who defeated Ana Bogdan. It will mark the Dane’s first appearance in the third round of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2015 and will see her ranking points take a boost after only reaching the second round at Flushing Meadows last year.
Kuznetsova bows out after a first round win against Francesca Schiavone and will now look ahead to the last few tournaments of the year, including a defence of her Moscow title from last year.