There will probably be a hefty 14-year age hole between American Coco Gauff and returning Dane Caroline Wozniacki after they meet subsequent up on the US Open.
And the teenaged Gauff could have thrown somewhat shade at her veteran opponent forward of their spherical of 16 assembly on Monday morning AEST.
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Gauff was six years previous when Wozniacki turned world No. 1 for the primary time within the ladies’s recreation, in October 2010.
The Danish star misplaced US Open finals in 2009 and 2014 earlier than claiming her lone grand slam title on the 2018 Australian Open.
Wozniacki retired from the circuit in January 2020, having two youngsters with husband and former NBA All Star David Lee and shifting into tennis commentary with ESPN final 12 months.
The 33-year-old returned to the WTA Tour simply final month, successful certainly one of her first three matches, however has turned a serious nook thus far in New York.
Three straight victories in Flushing Meadows, together with a straight-sets win over eleventh seed Petra Kvitova, set-up the spherical of 16 conflict with dwelling favorite and sixth seed Gauff.
The pair will conflict for the primary time, with Gauff boasting spectacular kind coming in, successful 14 of her final 15 matches.
Gauff acknowledged she’s about to face a participant she described as “a legend” and puzzled if Wozniacki had watched her play throughout her commentary stint.
“I don’t think she’s going to give me anything,” Gauff stated of Wozniacki. “She’s obviously one of those players that was a great mover when she played.
“She got a lot of balls back, so I’m expecting long rallies. Also I’ve watched her last couple matches this week.
“I think she’s playing a little bit more aggressive, I guess, compared to when she was starting, before she won Australia. I think she played that tournament really well.
“Yeah, it’s not going to be an easy match-up. I think she probably knows my game pretty well. I don’t know if she commentated on any of my matches. I know she’s watched tennis even when she was retired. So I’m sure she knows my game just from watching.”
The 14-year age distinction between the 2 could possibly be a deciding issue, although Wozniacki has appeared much more limber than a few of her youthful opponents thus far this match.
Both gamers have a stronger backhand than forehand, however Gauff in all probability has a extra threatening serve when she’s on.
Wozniacki is actually able to irritating Gauff and forcing the younger American into committing extra errors, which might be her finest guess at successful the match.
Wozniacki has raved about how at dwelling she feels on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds.
That has come by way of in her play.
She has misplaced only one set thus far, in her third-round win over American Jennifer Brady on Friday, and has proven an unwavering perception in herself amid this new period in her profession.
“I think if you’d asked me as a kid growing up and said that I would have done this, I would have said ‘no way’,” Wozniacki stated when instructed she had now superior to this spherical of the US Open in three totally different many years.
“To have the longevity, to be able to come back after having children, also to get far into this tournament so young, it’s just something I’m very proud of and something that I don’t take for granted.”
– With The New York Post
Source: www.news.com.au
