Australian Open 2018: Caroline Wozniacki saves two match points before beating Jana Fett
"That was crazy, I don't know how I got back into the match," says Dane
Wednesday 17 January 2018 11:52, UK
Caroline Wozniacki saved two match points as she battled back from 5-1 down in the deciding set to beat 21-year-old Croatian Jana Fett 3-6 6-2 7-5 in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The world No 2 was out of sorts throughout and looked to be heading out, but a combination of nerves from Fett, who only won her first Grand Slam match on Monday, and the renowned doggedness of Wozniacki saw her reel off six games in a row to somehow prevail.
Wozniacki came into the tournament with high hopes of winning a first major title after lifting the biggest trophy of her career at the WTA Finals at the end of last season and is one of six women who could finish this tournament as world No 1.
The Dane was forced to use all her experience to claw her way back against the world No 119 on a searing Rod Laver Arena in two hours and 31 minutes and must now recover in time for a third-round clash against either 30th seed Kiki Bertens or American Nicole Gibbs.
Experience was crucial today. I've been out here so many times and I knew how she would feel being out here against me and having the chance to win.
"That was crazy, I don't know how I got back into the match," said a relieved Wozniacki. "She's a tricky opponent, she had nothing to lose, and I think she realised she was at 5-1 and she let off the speed a little bit.
"I thought, 'this is my last chance and I'll have to go on the attack'. Then things were going my way and I thought 'this is my chance'
"Experience was crucial today. I've been out here so many times and I knew how she would feel being out here against me and having the chance to win."
Fourth seed Elina Svitolina also came from a set down to overcome spirited Czech Katerina Siniakova 4-6 6-2 6-1.
The Ukrainian is now on a seven-match win streak after winning the lead-up Brisbane International event.
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was pushed all the way by China's Duan Yingying before grinding out a 6-3 3-6 6-4 win.
"She was hitting the ball really hard," said the big-hitting Latvian. "I'm so happy I could win. Everyone wants to beat you when you've won a Grand Slam so I'll just keep trying my best."
She next faces Estonia's Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16 of the year's first Grand Slam after she dispatched Mona Barthel from Germany 6-3 4-6 6-3.
Julia Goerges' 15-match unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt as she lost in straight sets to Alize Cornet.
The 42nd-ranked Frenchwoman was ecstatic with her 6-4 6-3 win, saying: "She had so many wins in a row and I'm just happy to break the spell."
"I was not favourite today," added Cornet. "I just played my heart out."
"I dream step by step," she said when asked if she could go further after two straight sets wins. "For sure, many beautiful things are coming."
