US Open: Wozniacki’s comeback charge continues with victory over Jennifer Brady in the third round

Caroline Wozniacki defeated Jennifer Brady 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 and will face the winner of the match between Elise Mertens and Coco Gauff in the next round

Jamie Malachy

September 1, 2023

US Open •Third round • completed

See draw

C. WozniackivsJ. Brady

Caroline Wozniacki‘s fairytale return to Grand Slam tennis continued as she beat home hope Jennifer Brady 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to return to the last 16 of the US Open.

A two-time former finalist at Flushing Meadows, yet having not played in New York for four years after her retirement in January 2020, Wozniacki looked as if she’d never been away as she recovered from dropping the opening set to knock Brady out of her home Slam.

Indeed, the Dane has already bettered her last outing at the US Open in 2019, when she fell to eventual champion Bianca Andreescu in the third round.

Brady – herself just returning from a two-year absence due to injury – put in a fine display in the opening set but faded in the latter two as Wozniacki’s supreme retrieving ability eventually sucked the energy out of the American.

Remarkable return continues for Caroline Wozniacki

Having only just returned to professional tennis at the Canadian Open a month ago, Wozniacki’s success this week in New York is nothing short of extraordinary.

When I retired three years ago, and when I had my two kids, I thought I’d only be watching from the outside
Wozniacki on her incredible comeback to professional tennis

Not only was the former world No 1 off tour for more than three-and-a-half years, but she also gave birth to two children during that time.

Wozniacki has emphatically proven that her ability to play top-level tennis remains undiminished, but she has also shown that she is as fit and mentally-focused as she ever was during her pomp.

In a year of remarkable comebacks on the WTA, such as Elina Svitolina‘s scarcely believable return to top form so soon after giving birth, Wozniacki’s sits right up there with the most impressive and unexpected of returns in 2023.

Physicality key as Wozniacki wears down Jennifer Brady

The match itself lasted just shy of two hours, as what looked to be turning into a potential classic ultimately faded quickly in the decider as Brady’s physical resistance began to wane.

Despite an impressive opener from the American, Wozniacki statistically outperformed her opponent in nearly every department as she dominated the final two sets.

She stifled Brady with some clinical and well-timed forays to the net, of which she successfully executed 86% of those net points.

The Dane’s trademark retrieval formed an indefatigable defence which Brady had little answer for – especially in the final stanza.

Breaking her opponent twice, Wozniacki then served out a love hold to stride confidently into the second week of the US Open.

“As a competitor… you always want to win and you believe in yourself, but to be here on Arthur Ashe… it’s a dream come true,” Wozniacki said in her on-court post-match interview.

“I said this in my last match, but I didn’t think I was going to be here again.

“When I retired three years ago, and when I had my two kids, I thought I’d only be watching from the outside.

“What an honour this is.”