Caroline Wozniacki not ‘taking anything for granted’ ahead of Iga Swiatek clash
Caroline Wozniacki is back into the Indian Wells quarter-finals for the first time in seven years, with the 2011 champion beating her friend Angelique Kerber to do so.
Wozniacki was playing fellow former No.1 Kerber for the first time since 2018 in a 16th meeting between the pair, with the Dane picking up a 6-4 6-2 win last night in Indian Wells.
It is only Wozniacki’s seventh tournament back since making a U-turn on her decision to retire back in 2020, and she reflected on her victory after the match.
“I’m just happy I won. I don’t take anything for granted,” said Wozniacki. “I took a very long break. To be back here in this sport, I’m just enjoying myself. I’m thrilled I get another match.”
This has left Wozniacki only one win away from returning to the top 100, however she will have to beat world No.1 Iga Swiatek to do so.
And the 33-year-old has previewed her match against the 2022 Indian Wells champion, “Obviously, she’s playing good tennis, playing powerfully.”
Wozniacki continued, “I practiced with her as well a few times after I have come back, during the US Open as well. I know how she plays, but it’s one thing knowing how she plays and also playing against her in a full match. I know that I have to play my best tennis to compete against her, and that’s what I hope to do.”
The pair have actually played each other on the WTA Tour before, with a then 18-year-old Swiatek producing a surprise victory over Wozniacki in Toronto back in 2019.
Inside the baseline…
Caroline Wozniacki has made such an impressive comeback to the WTA Tour after such a long time away, especially in the United States where she now lives. Iga Swiatek may be a step too far for the former Australian Open champion, but regardless the Dane is likely to make it competitive and it is a another great week for her to take into the second half of the sunshine double in Miami.
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