MADRID: After winning her maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open, Caroline Wozniacki’s Achilles heel now lies with the clay.
On Monday the Danish second seed battled to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, win over Australia’s Ashleigh Barty at the Madrid Open. Booking a place in the third round of the tournament for a fifth time in her career. It was a far from straightforward encounter from Wozniacki, who recovered from a 2-4 deficit in the decider to secure the win.
“She wasn’t making any errors at one point. I think it kind of turned around when I got that net cord. It went over. Instead of being 5-2 for her in the third, I still had a chance to kind of survive.” Reflected Wozniacki. “I think that’s where it changed a little bit. I just kind of stayed in it. Then I served pretty well to close it off.”
The roller coaster encounter was a perfect way to sum up Wozniacki’s love-hate relationship with the clay. It has been almost seven years since she won a title on the surface. At the French Open, she is yet to progress beyond the quarter-final stage.
Regardless of her recent trophy drought on the dirt, the 27-year-old remains focused on the positives. 10 out of her 52 WTA finals have been played on the clay. Her most recent was at the Swedish Open last year.
“It’s just I think part of the progress. I actually don’t mind it. It’s not my favorite surface, but I think I can play well on it.” She stated. “It’s just all about getting the mental attitude right. I think I have that. Then you just kind of take it from there.”
It will be more than mental attitude that Wozniacki will need in the next round. Awaiting her will be Kiki Bertens. A Dutch player that dropped only five games in her win over Anastasija Sevastova. All of Bertens’ WTA finals have been played on clay, including this year’s Charleston Open where she defeated Julia Goerges in the final.
“Another tough match. Big server, big forehand. She loves the clay. I haven’t had an easy draw here, but I don’t think anyone has. It’s just about going for it again. That’s all I can do, is go out there and do my best.” Wozniacki previewed about her next match.
Wozniacki leads Bertens 3-0 in their head-to-head and is yet to drop a set against her. However, they have never played each other on the clay.
