Caroline Wozniacki starts tennis comeback with emphatic win, saying ‘it’s like riding a bike’
- The Danish former world No 1 triumphs 6-2, 6-2 over Australia’s Kimberly Birrell in National Bank Open
- Wozniacki received wild-card entry into Montreal tournament after retiring in 2020 to start a family
Caroline Wozniacki made a triumphant return to tennis, defeating Kimberly Birrell in straight sets at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Wozniacki dominated from the start, securing a 6-2, 6-2 victory while pushing her Australian opponent across the court during rallies. The Dane will face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, who beat Mayar Sherif of Egypt 6-4, 6-2.
“It’s like riding a bike basically,” Wozniacki told reporters after the match on Tuesday. “You never forget it once you’re in there.”
The former world No 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion received a wild-card entry into the National Bank Open main draw after retiring in 2020 to start a family.
“It was so strange because I went to bed last night, and I go, ‘wait, so the kids have to wake up, and then we eat breakfast together, and then, wait, how does that fit in with my schedule?’” Wozniacki said, discussing her first time preparing for a match as a mother.
Victoria Azarenka announced she was withdrawing because of an injury, allowing American Sloane Stephens to advance.
