WHAT HAPPENED: Caroline Wozniacki overcame a tough challenge against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua to advance to Round 3 of the 2024 US Open after a hard-fought 6-3, 6-3 victory Thursday night in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Wozniacki scored a key service break in the eighth game of the first set to take a 5-3 lead and then served out the set as she hit a crosscourt backhand volley winner on set point.
Zarazua began to find the range on her shots in the second set as she traded groundstrokes with Wozniacki and extended the baseline rallies. After falling behind 3-1, Zarazua rallied to even the second set at 3-3. Ultimately, Wozniacki gained the upper hand and finished the match in one-hour and 49 minutes.
“I love playing out here in night sessions on the biggest courts. That’s what we train for every single day," Wozniacki said.“I love the atmosphere here, the buzz of the city, and I love that people stay out late. I love that it’s the biggest venue in tennis. It’s a big party every year and only getting bigger.”
One of the keys to the victory for Wozniacki was her ability to outlast Zarazua during the long baseline rallies. The fifth game of the second set lasted almost 15 minutes and featured four exchanges of 20+ balls. In the end, Wozniacki’s consistency and experience made the difference.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Early in the second set, Wozniacki received treatment during a changeover for a back ailment.
“My back is a little sore, but it’s worse when I serve. I could still move pretty well. I’m just hoping to get some treatment and have a day off tomorrow,” Wozniacki said after she played through the discomfort to finish the match.
WHAT IT MEANS: With the Round 2 victory over Zarazua, Wozniacki improves her US Open career record to 43-14. She is now 1-0 in career head-to-head meetings with Zarazua.
The two-time US Open finalist advances to Round 3, where she will play qualifier Jessika Ponchet of France in their first head-to-head match. Ponchet advanced to Round 3 when her opponent, No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina, withdrew with an injury.
MATCH POINT: Wozniacki, who won the 2018 Australian Open, made her professional debut back in 2005. Her second-round match with Zarazua marked the first time in her career she had faced an opponent from Mexico.
