WHAT HAPPENED: Caroline Wozniacki routed Jessika Ponchet in the third round of the 2024 US Open on Saturday, 6-3, 6-2, to match her 2023 run, when the Dane reached the fourth round in Flushing Meadows after a three-year layoff.
“I’m really happy to be through today,” Wozniacki said. “She was playing unorthodox tennis. It was a little hard to read her game.”
On paper, the experience gap between the two players was glaring. Wozniacki had twice been a US Open runner-up and held the world No. 1 ranking for 71 weeks.
In contrast, Ponchet had lost in the first round of US Open qualifying five times, but came back this year to earn her first spot in the main draw. Ponchet reached the third round by defeating Zheng Saisai of China in her opener, and by walkover when the No. 4 seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from their second-round match.
On a sunny Saturday in the Grandstand, Wozniacki jumped to a 3-0 lead before closing the set, 6-3, in 32 minutes, with seven winners (to Ponchet’s eight) and with 10 fewer unforced errors. Wozniacki was also putting 75% of her first serves in play while the 27-year-old Frenchwoman put in 48%.
In the second set, Ponchet was broken in the first game after five deuces when Wozniacki converted her third break point. After Wozniacki built a 4-0 lead, Ponchet held serve to trail, 4-1. After one hour and 10 minutes, Wozniacki led 5-2 and served for the match. Ponchet claimed the first two points, but Wozniacki roared back with a forehand winner after a 23-shot rally. Two points later, Woz served for the match and won it when Ponchet’s return went wide.
“I would love to go all the way,” Wozniacki said after the match. “But it’s only going to get harder from here. I’m just thrilled to be through to the fourth round. I’m feeling pretty good. I’m excited to go another match. Hopefully on one of the big courts.”
Her good friend and frequent opponent Serena Williams was on-site as a spectator Saturday afternoon—but she was in Louis Armstrong Stadium, not the Grandstand.
“I’m gonna text her,” Wozniacki said, laughing. “I’m pretty mad at her for not showing up for my match. I saw she was watching Tommy [Paul].”
WHAT IT MEANS: In the fourth round, Wozniacki will meet an opponent she has never faced: either No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil or No. 15 seed Anna Kalinskaya.
MATCH POINT: Ponchet was the last French player remaining in the singles tournament. Wozniacki is the only Danish player left among the three who made the main draw.
