Wozniacki Begins Her 2014 With Win at Sydney International

January 6, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Caroline_Wozniacki_01_10
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Caroline Wozniacki opened her 2014 season on Monday with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Julia Goerges in the first round of the Sydney International, one of the final warm-ups before the Australian Open. Wozniacki withdrew from last week's Brisbane International after hurting her right shoulder in practice and struggled early against Goerges, who was replacing the injured Sloane Stephens in the draw.

“It’s the first match of the season. It’s always very tough,” Wozniacki said. “Julia had played already a few matches and she started off very strongly. Was hitting winners from the forehand, from the backhand, and I needed some time just to get into the match. I’m really pleased about the way I fought out there. Maybe wasn’t the prettiest match, but I was fighting.”

Wozniacki will next meet Czech lefty Lucie Safarova.

The upset of the first round came from Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, who defeated former number one, Jelena Jankovic, lost 6-4, 6-2. 

"We played in Cincinnati not a long time ago and it was a really tough match, and I lost against her in three sets," Makarova said. "Then I got injured and didn't play anything after the U.S. Open, so it was tough to start again against such a great player. The wind made things not that comfortable, but I just really focused on every point because I know she's the sort of player who doesn't miss easy shots. I went on the court reminding myself that it would be a long match and I'd have to be very solid."

Fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber defeated Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (5), 7-5 to move into the second round in Sydney. Kerber will next play Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, who defeated American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-1, 6-3.

In other first-round matches, Lucie Safarova beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-4 and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated Eugenie Bouchard 6-4, 6-3. Mattek-Sands will next face defending Sydney champ and top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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