Wozniacki passes first-round test in Miami; Badosa beats Halep, Venus Williams is out

by Daniel Perisse

Things go well for Caroline Wozniacki. This Tuesday, the former World No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open winner was the only one of the three former Grand Slam champions who advanced to the second round of the 2024 Miami Open Women’s Singles draw.

The Danish Wild Card needed only 1 hour and 17 minutes to defeat France’s Clara Burel 6-1, 6-4, and she now faces Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the third round.

“Conditions are a lot different here than playing in Indian Wells. It’s a lot faster. The ball is different. Everything is different but you know, I’m just happy to be through to the next round, getting my rhythm today and I felt I played pretty decent when you think about all of the changes that have been going on the last couple of days”, said the 33-year-old after the match.  On the other hand, seven-time Major champion Venus Williams ended up losing to Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-3.  When asked about the 43-year-old American’s will to keep playing, the Dane said it was “amazing.” “It’s amazing to see Venus still out there,” Wozniacki said. “I mean, she’s 43 years old. She’s a legend of the game. She’s won so much. And really, she’s earned the right to do whatever she wants to do. She wants to play another 10 years, so that’s great. If she never wants to play again, that’s also great. I think it’s just such an inspiration to see her be playing and fit, out there and competing against all these youngsters.” “It’s not easy and it takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes and practice and taking care of your body. I think it’s always great to see her in the draw, she still loves playing so I think as long as she wants to play. I’m all for her playing where she wants when she wants,” added the Danish player, who took a break from the women’s circuit to have two kids.  “I’m back playing too, and it’s nice.” The third former World No. 1 on court this Tuesday as part of the Women’s Singles draw was Romanian Simona Halep, who received a Wild Card after being out of the tour since August 2022.

However, the two-time Grand Slam champion (French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019) was halted by Paula Badosa, who prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

This was the Spaniard’s first win since Doha, in February. She is currently ranked as World No. 80.

“Today I know that even though she hasn’t been playing for a long time, for me it was the same because she’s still Simona Halep. Yeah, I’m happy that I got the win and could fight until the end, and mentally I could get through that” exclaimed Badosa.

Also, the last 12 Men’s Singles players in the main draw were confirmed this Tuesday. And between them are former Top 10 players, Diego Schwartzman and Roberto Bautista Agut, who both came through three-setters to claim their spots.

The Argentinian overcame France’s Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1), while the Spaniard routed Finland’s Otto Virtanen 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

David Goffin failed to reach the main draw after losing to Harold Mayot from France 7-6(5), 6-2.

Kerber-Stephens clash opens Stadium slate on Wednesday; Osaka and Murray also play

The Hard Rock Stadium court opens for matches on Wednesday, March 20^th, not before noon.

And the very first clash there will be between three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber, another former World No.1 who is making a comeback after being a mom, and Plantation, Fla. native Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open and 2018 Miami Open winner.

Closing the day session, two-time Miami Open champion and former World No. 1 Andy Murray from Great Britain will take on Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, who once reached the World No. 6.

The first Stadium’s night session will feature another former World No.1: Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who takes on Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto not before 7 pm.

Following that, not before 8:30 pm, qualifier Lukas Klein from Slovakia faces Laguna Hills, Calif. native Alex Michelsen.

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