Former world number one and two-time US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki got her Citi Open campaign off to a blazing start with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Japanese qualifier Hiroko Kuwata. Wozniacki, who has fallen to a low number 60 in the rankings, showed some of the stellar tennis she has displayed in the past, easing to a comfortable first round victory in exactly an hour here in Washington DC.
Wozniacki cruises through opening set
Wozniacki began the match immediately on the offensive, taking an easy hold before claiming a break of serve at her first time of asking for a 2-0 lead. The Dane then played a slightly inconsistent service game the following game, struggling to hold, fending off three break points to consolidate the break for a 3-0 lead off a wide backhand from Kuwata.
The Japanese then got herself on the board, taking an easy service game to keep the margin to one break. The former world number one survived another deuce game on her serve, staying strong to hold for 4-1 and put herself firmly ahead in the opening set.
The two-time US Open finalist seized another break to go up 5-1 and give herself the opportunity to serve for the set. With two breaks in hand, Wozniacki made no mistake serving it out, taking the set on her second time of asking to seal a dominant 6-1 opening set.
Wozniacki eases through second set to advance
Kuwata was forced to save a break point to begin the second set, eventually holding before her Danish opponent did the same. The unseeded Wozniacki then gained her third break of the match, showcasing some impressive defensive skills to get out to another early set lead.
The 60th ranked Wozniacki then consolidated the break with an easy hold for 3-1 before a long backhand from Kuwata gave the Dane a second insurance break to go up 4-1 and put herself two games from the second round.
Wozniacki kept up the dominant tennis, powering an impressive forehand winner past her Japanese opponent to go up 5-1 and force Kuwata to serve to stay in the match. The former number one played another near-flawless return game to break Kuwata once again and seal a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory.
Up next for Wozniacki
Up next for Wozniacki is 2011 US Open winner and top seed Samantha Stosur, who the Dane beat a few weeks back in Eastbourne. Much like Wozniacki, Stosur also claimed a comfortable first round win on day one, defeating Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-0 to reach the second round. Wozniacki leads the pair's head to head 6-4 with their most recent meeting going to the Dane a few weeks ago on the grass of Eastbourne, a dominant straight sets victory for Wozniacki.