United States Open Wozniacki continues his run in New York

(New York) Caroline Wozniacki continues to have success in her return to the game. The 33-year-old Dane won 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Friday against American Jennifer Brady, another player back in action after a long absence.

Wozniacki raised his fist in the sky and looked down the stands at his spouse after earning his ticket to the round of 16 at the U.S. Open, only his third tournament since his turn after a three-and-a-half-year absence .

“It’s a dream come true to play here at Arthur Ashe Stadium and to have this support,” Wozniacki said in his on-field interview after his win. It’s a great honour. »

Wozniacki will face the winner of the duel between sixth-seeded American Coco Gauff and No. 32 Belgian Elise Mertens in the next round. She plans to enjoy the moment with her 2-year-old daughter, Olivia, and her aged son of 10 months, James.

The former world No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion left the tennis world in 2020 to start a family. She took advantage of an invitation from the organizers to access the main draw in New York and she believes she has the tools to extend her career.

Brady, meanwhile, is back after a two-year absence with right knee and left foot injuries.

Earlier in the day, Iga Swiatek was merciless past Kaja Juvan, beating the Slovenian from qualifying 6-0, 6-1 in just 49 minutes. The world No. 1 has thus reached the fourth round of the United States Open.

Swiatek, also defending champion in New York, has lost just nine games since the start of the tournament. The Pole has won 19 rounds to nil this season.

“I didn’t like having to beat my best friend,” Swiatek said in an on-court interview after her match. It was like playing against my sister. I don’t have many friends, but she is my best friend. »

In the next round, Swiatek will face the Latvian and 20^e seeded Jelena Ostapenko, 2017 French Open champion. Ostapenko defeated American Bernarda Pera 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The American and 10^e top-seeded Frances Tiafoe advanced to the third round with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6(6) win over No. 22 Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. Last year, Tiafoe defeated Rafael Nadal, on his way to the semi-finals.

Tiafoe, 25, admitted that all of his preparation this season has been in preparation for the US Open.

“The rest of the summer didn’t matter to me. It’s this tournament that really matters,” said Tiafoe.

His compatriot and 14^e top seed Tommy Paul reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time in his career with a 6-1, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 win over the Spaniard and 21^e seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Paul ended the game by hitting a 15^e ace.

“I think I served well and did well going into the net. I also managed to use the whole court,” said Paul, who reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Paul will now face 20-year-old American Ben Shelton, who defeated Russian Aslan Karatsev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Meanwhile, No. 10 Karolina Muchova beat American Taylor Townsend 7-6(0), 6-3 in another third-round match.

Muchova, who reached the final at the French Open this year, matched her career-best result at Flushing Meadows by unsettling her rival with numerous serve and volley combinations. Townsend committed 39 unforced errors.

Finalist in Cincinnati in August, Muchova will face in the fourth round the Chinese Xinyu Wang, who beat the Slovak Karolina Schmiedlova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In the evening, No. 2 Novak Djokovic is scheduled to face fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, No. 32. Djokovic is looking for a 24^e major title.