Experience prevailed in the Battle of the Comeback Queens at the U.S. Open.
Caroline Wozniacki is on to the fourth round in her first Grand Slam tournament appearance since she retired more than three years ago, after the Dane rallied from a first-set loss to defeat American Jennifer Brady, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.
Securing a spot in the round of 16 represents Wozniacki’s best effort at a major in more than five years.
On Sunday, Wozniacki will face Coco Gauff.
“I think I felt physically great,” said Wozniacki, who has now advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open in three different decades (2009, 2014, 2023). “It’s my first three-set match in the comeback. I feel great about it. My body feels perfect, knock on wood.
“That’s a big step for me, as well, because you never know how your body’s going to react after so many years away from the game, then playing a long match. I felt good. I felt like I could be out there for another few sets, if I had to.”
Both players have significantly exceeded expectations at Flushing Meadows, especially after Wozniacki bounced No. 11-seeded Petra Kvitova in the second round for her first victory over a top-20 player since 2018.
The U.S. Open is just the third event Wozniacki has competed in since she became a mother of two during a 3 ¹/₂-year hiatus.
Brady was playing in just her fourth tournament after a series of debilitating injuries sidelined her for two years.
“I think everybody’s been talking about it, my comeback,” Brady said. “Just me not knowing when I would play again, just being away for about two years and being able to come back here and make the third round in the U.S. Open, give myself chances to make the fourth round.
“It’s exciting to be back in this position, to be back here competing again, playing on Arthur Ashe.”
As the match progressed, Wozniacki maintained her form and pace, while Brady lost a step.
Wozniacki snatched 10 of the last 11 games to convincingly pull out the win, which hadn’t seemed possible shortly after her first-set loss.
Not only did Wozniacki drop the opening set, but she also fell behind by two games in the second.
But the 33-year-old changed up her approach, switching from her signature sharp backhand to crosscourt shots. Wozniacki evened the second set at two-all, then three-all, before winning the final three games.
Brady’s frustration started to get the best of her in the third set, during which she committed 13 unforced errors in comparison to Wozniacki’s one.
After Brady pulled ahead 40-15 in the second game, Wozniacki stormed back and locked it up after the American hit into the net.
Brady put her hands on her head in disbelief after that point. Wozniacki went on to take a 5-0 lead before punching her ticket to the next round.
“When I was down 2-Love in the second, I just decided I’m not going to miss any more, I’m going to start moving my feet even better, go for my shots,” Wozniacki said. “Slowly I started chipping away, it started going my way.
“I felt like the momentum kind of shifted a little bit, then I could see she was starting to get a little tired as well when we had the long rallies. I was excited for that.”
