Caroline Wozniacki found the key as one gets back on a bike after several years: without any difficulty. On her return to action after a 40-month absence, the Dane easily got rid of Australian Kimberly Birrell in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 on Tuesday afternoon in her first-round duel.
Long exchanges. Two players fighting for every ball. This duel between the former world number 1 and the current world 115th was a great way to start the day on the center court of the IGA stadium.
Broken from the first game, Wozniacki took a few minutes to find his bearings. But once it was done, she never looked back. If a spectator in the square still did not know that she had not played for three years, he would certainly not have guessed it by watching her go.
Lively and determined in front of every ball, Wozniacki smashed his opponent three times in the first set. Birrell wasn’t playing badly, but she too often committed unforced errors at crucial points.
Wozniacki didn’t slow down in the second set. From the back of the court or at the net, she was patient and in absolute control of her game. Nothing would stop her from leaving this court with the victory.
The 33-year-old athlete quickly rediscovered the pleasure of winning: we saw her clench her left fist after a few good sequences, under the cries of a crowd impressed by her fighting spirit. A bright smile appeared on her lips the moment she won her final point. She also allowed herself to raise both her arms in the air.
More details to come.