Caroline Wozniacki makes ‘lucky’ confession as she is rewarded with +19 surge in rankings
Caroline Wozniacki battled the elements, a change in court and saved a couple of match points as she admitted she “got a little lucky” against Leylah Fernandez at Wimbledon.
The former world No 1’s second-round clash against Fernandez got underway late on Court No.12 and it was no surprise when it got suspended with the score 3-3 in the deciding set due to poor light.
However, there was some confusion over whether or not the match would resume or be completed on Friday, but it was eventually moved Court No.1.
And Fernandez was the first to find her rhythm again after they restarted as the Canadian comfortably held both her service games and, with the score at 5-4 score, had two match points on the Wozniacki serve.
The Dane held firm and then broke the Fernandez serve in the next game before serving out the 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory, but she admitted she had luck on her side.
“It was so difficult today. The outside court was windy. Then it got dark. Then we were told maybe we’d go here. Maybe Centre Court. Maybe we’d play tomorrow,” she revealed.
“At the end of the day I tried to stay focused. I thought both of us played at a high level. She came out firing. I think she won the first six points or something. I kept digging deep and found some good serves. I think I got a little lucky today.”
Wozniacki started Wimbledon at No 91 in the WTA Rankings, but she is set to jump to No 72 following her latest win, quite impressive for someone who started the year at No 236.
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But the draw only gets tougher from here on in as she faces 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round after the Kazakh defeated Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
“That’s gonna be a tough one. I gotta serve well, return well, move well, do everything well for a chance to beat her.”
A win over Rybakina could see her rise to as high as No 58 while victory will earn her a fourth-round clash against either Anna Kalinskaya or Luidmila Samsonova.
Wozniacki’s experience has given her a big boost so far and maybe there is more to come from here.
“I think definitely my experience helped me on days like today. I’ve been out here for a few years now. I feel less pressure,” she said.
“I’m enjoying myself, enjoying the moment, I get to play on these big courts in front of these amazing crowds. I just love it. I really don’t take anything for granted.”
