WTA-Caroline Wozniacki d. Ashleigh Barty 6-4 6-2

Thursday afternoon, No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki literally ran through her match against one of the two remaining WTA qualifiers, Ashleigh Barty of Australia. Barty won her 1st top-10 match against Venus Williams on Wednesday. While Caroline would win in straight sets, credit to Barty as she is playing both singles and doubles. Despite the loss to Wozniacki, Barty remains in the Western & Southern Open doubles draw with partner, Casey Dellacqua.

In Thursday’s match, the first break opportunity went to Barty after a double-fault by the Dane. Wozniacki dug in after her mistake and immediately broke back. She would capture the next four service games to 5-3. Barty scrambled playing an 8-point service game but Wozniacki could not convert and she held 5-4. With Caroline serving for the set, she closed despite a double-fault start to 6-4.

Wozniacki wasted no time in the 2nd set quickly breaking Barty in four straight points. This set was characterized by short service games and Caroline never let go of her grip on the 27-minute set. She broke Barty again in game 7 and served out the match in game 8, a love hold.

Overall, Caroline’s stats were solid, 71% 1st serve percentage, she defended 67% of break-points and won 56% of 2nd return points. Wozniacki has been steadily rising in the rankings due to a string of solid performances, 11 quarterfinal or better finishes. To date, two women, in particular, have stood in her way of titles, No. 3-Elina Svitolina and No. 1-Karolina Pliskova.

Caroline’s next opponent remains a wildcard. With stormy skies over Mason, the evening session was a wash.  This means Karolina Pliskova or qualifier Camilla Giorgi will face Wozniacki in their second match Friday. Two hard court specialists, Pliskova and Wozniacki have quite a history to date with Caroline owning the head-to-head, 5-2. However, Pliskova has captured the most recent titles, Eastbourne and Doha. But let’s not get ahead as Camilla Giorgi is having a strong run in Cincy. Riding high and with her own powerful game, she is a serious opponent. Giorgi has taken out Katerina Siniakova and Daria Gavrilova on her way to the final 16.

Wozniacki has finished in the top-20 nine years in a row. She remains in striking distance of year-end top-4 finish. Despite an already marathon season, a very fit Caroline has the endurance to go the distance in Cincy.