Caroline Wozniacki reached the second round of the U.S. Open with a close three set win over American Taylor Townsend.
Townsend rallies to take the first set
The opening match on the new Grandstand saw Wozniacki achieve the opening break. On deuce in the fourth game, Townsend double-faulted and her backhand error on the next point gave the Dane a 3-1 lead. The lead wouldn't last as Townsend broke right back, her challenge on Wozniacki's forehand overturned, originally called in. Her forehand winner on the next point put the set back on serve.
Wozniacki would take the lead in the seventh game when her forehand on break point produced a Wozniacki error, the American ahead 4-3. She closed out the set in the tenth game with an unreturnable serve, Wozniacki barely getting her racket on the ball, Townsend taking the opening set 6-4.
Wozniacki rebounds to take the second set
The two-time Open finalist again jumped out quickly, taking a 3-0 lead, breaking in the second game with a clean forehand winner, winning 11 of the first 13 points in the set. She almost went up a double break in the American's next serve game, but Townsend did well to hold on. Neither player was threatened on serve the rest of the way, save for the seventh game, Townsend getting to deuce, but no further. Wozniacki took the set 6-3 to force a third and deciding set.
Wozniacki leaves it late to seal the win, advances to face Kuznetsova
The final set saw both players hold serve comfortably until the seventh game when Wozniacki had a break point, saved by Townsend. She wasn't as fortunate in her nexr service game as the Dane broke for a 5-4 lead. Now serving for the match, Wozniacki would save a break point of her own, rallying back to hold and take the deciding set 6-4. The win sees the two-time Open finalist advance to play Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round.
Wozniacki talks about the win, matchup with Kuznetsova next
Following the match, Wozniacki spoke about edging the American: "It was really difficult, with her lefty spin serves. I like to say I'm one of the better returners on tour, but that did not show and so that was really frustrating. Once we kind of got going in the rally, I felt ok, but I'm just happy to be here. It was a little windy, and I wasn't sure which way the wind was going, but I was just like, 'Ok, especially on the return, just get it in - anywhere!'" She also commented about facing the Russian: "She's been playing well, and we've had a lot of grueling matches, like 7-6 and 7-5 in the third," Wozniacki told press. "It's a match I'm looking forward to. I'm just going to have fun out there and enjoy every moment."