World No.
25
Elina Svitolina defeated former world No. 1
Caroline Wozniacki (No. 272)
6-4, 6-3, advancing to the second round of the 2024 ASB Classic. In a closely
contested match, both players showcased good form at the beginning of the
season, but the Ukrainian ultimately progressed to the next round.
In 2023,
Wozniacki made a comeback after three and a half years of retirement and the
birth of two children. The Dane displayed a high level of play during the US
hardcourt swing, with a record of 4-3 and reaching the fourth round of the US
Open, only to fall to eventual champion Coco Gauff in three sets.
Svitolina
had an impressive 2023 season, finishing the year as world No. 25 despite
playing in only a few tournaments, concluding with a record of 17-9. Her
achievements included winning the Estrasburgo Open and notable performances in
Grand Slam events: reaching the French Open quarterfinals and Wimbledon
semifinals, where she defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. In their previous five
encounters, Svitolina led the head-to-head 4-1, though their last match took
place in 2018.
The first
break went in favor of the Ukrainian in the second game, giving her a 2-0 lead,
but Wozniacki swiftly recovered in the next game. The 2018 Australian Open
champion secured a break to take a 4-3 lead, but Svitolina bounced back,
capitalizing on some errors from her opponent to win the next three games with
two consecutive breaks.
The players
engaged in lengthy rallies, with Svitolina effectively countering Wozniacki's
aggressive shots and forcing errors as the Ukrainian maintained her defensive
play.
Wozniacki
had a strong start in the second set but gradually saw a decline in her level,
conceding the first break in the fourth game. Svitolina then built a seemingly
insurmountable 4-1 lead, with the Dane becoming increasingly erratic.
The former
world No. 1 found an opportunity by securing a break, narrowing the gap to 3-4
with her serve to follow. However, Svitolina, without taking excessive risks,
capitalized on Wozniacki's inaccuracies in attempting to play deeper. The match
concluded 6-4, 6-3 in favor of Svitolina, marking a triumphant return after
four months since her last appearance at the 2023 US Open.
In the
second round, Svitolina could face another significant returnee of the 2024
season, as she will meet the winner of the match between Emma Raducanu (No.
301) and Elena-Gabriela Ruse (No. 134). The British player will play her first
match after a nine-month absence, during which she underwent surgeries on both
wrists and her ankle.
