Wozniacki makes triumphant return to reach Montreal second round

Up next for Wozniacki, will be a clash with either ninth-seeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, or Mayar Sherif of Egypt.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts after winning a point against Kimberly Birrell of Australia on Day 2 during the National Bank Open at Stade IGA on August 8, 2023 in Montreal, Canada. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

Caroline Wozniacki, in her first competitive match after more than three years away to start a family, cruised by Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2 6-2 in Montreal on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Canadian Open.

The Danish wildcard, who announced in June that she was coming out of retirement, showed great anticipation, movement and shot selection throughout the 97-minute match that made it look as though she had never left the sport.

“It just feels great to be back out there competing,” Wozniacki, who won this event in 2010, said in her on-court interview.

“I thought I played well in the first set, you know just finding my rhythm, and then I lost the rhythm a little bit in the second so it was a grind. But I’m just happy that I somehow managed to win that one.”

Wozniacki received a warm welcome when she walked on to the Montreal court as Neil Diamond’s famous “Sweet Caroline” song blared through the speakers while a “Welcome Back Caro” sign in French lined part of the upper seating level.

The 33-year-old Wozniacki dropped the opening game on her serve but then built up a 3-1 lead and wrapped up the frame in 42 minutes when world number 115 Birrell committed three double faults while serving to extend the set.

Birrell stepped up the pressure in the second set, which was on serve until Wozniacki took advantage of some untimely double faults by the Australian to pull ahead 4-2.

From there, Wozniacki never looked back, ultimately sealing the win on her first match point when she sent a backhand to the open court.

Up next for Wozniacki, will be a clash with either ninth-seeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, or Mayar Sherif of Egypt.

Wozniacki, citing her desire to start a family with her husband, former NBA player David Lee, retired from tennis after the 2020 Australian Open. She has since given birth to her two children, Olivia and James.

The Dane is the latest Grand Slam champion to return to competitive tennis after becoming a mother, a list that includes Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters -- who won three Grand Slams after starting a family -- and Victoria Azarenka.

Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, has also been given wild cards to compete in next week’s Cincinnati Open and the August 28-September 10 U.S. Open.

Also advancing to the second round in Montreal were Danielle Collins, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, 10th-seed Daria Kasatkina and 15th-seed Liudmila Samsonova.