CNN
—
Caroline Wozniacki continued his remarkable return to tennis by claiming a major victory this year US Open.
The former world No. 1 defeated 11th-seeded Petra Kvitová in straight sets, 7-5 7-6, on Wednesday for her first win over a Top-20 player in nearly five years.
Wozniacki has been out of competitive tennis for over three years before returning in action less than a month ago.
The Danish star had two children during his vacation but always stayed close to the sport, playing legends doubling events and working as a TV analyst.
In June of this year, he announced his intention to return and has not looked back since.
She made light work of her first-round match at Flushing Meadows and was in fine form again against two-time grand slam champion Kvitová.
After the victory, an overwhelmed Wozniacki could be seen slumped in her chair, wiping away tears of joy as the fairytale run in New York continued.
“Obviously, I knew coming into the match that I had a chance to win, and I believed in myself. At the same time, she obviously had a great year,” said Wozniacki after the match, per the WTA.
“He’s 11 in the world, likes to play on hard courts. I know it’s a very difficult one and I have to play my best tennis.
He later told reporters: “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Three years ago, if you ask me, I didn’t think I’d be able to play on one of those courts again at the US Open, especially the evening session.
“It felt unbelievable to be there and win a game like that.”
Wozniacki won 30 singles titles, including the 2018 Australian Open, before retiring in 2020.
Her last win against a Top-20 player was against Kvitová again, back in 2018.
The 33-year-old Wozniacki, who was runner-up at the US Open in 2009 and 2014, will now face American Jennifer Brady in the next round.