Caroline Wozniacki has never really clicked on clay, but following her appearance in the final of the Stuttgart Open last month – her first for four years on the surface – she will enter the French Open on Sunday with renewed confidence.
The 25-year-old’s best performance at Roland Garros remains her 2010 appearance in which she made the quarter-finals, and few will be backing her to surpass that achievement this time around.
Perilous quarter
The world number five has been placed in easily the toughest quarter. Not only does it includes both Williams sisters, but also Victoria Azarenka, a former number one who is returning to form following a long spell out injured during which her ranking tumbled (currently at 31).
The bookmakers, however, remain firm on their assessment of the Dane. Before the draw, she was seventh on their list, mostly available at 25/1, and since it, she has stayed put and only been slightly lengthened to 28/1.
A silver lining might exist in the fitness of Serena Williams, Wozniacki’s BFF and nemesis, who the Dane has only beaten once in 11 meetings, including four losses in 2014. Williams withdrew from the Rome Masters as a precautionary measure, which might open the door for Azarenka.
2012 nemesis awaits
But first Wozniacki will have to get there. First she should see off the Italian world number 48, Karin Knapp, who she has beaten in both their previous meetings, but then Germany’s Julia Goerges, the world number 68, will probably be waiting for her in the next round.
While Woz holds a 4-3 head-to-head advantage, Goerges has a 2-0 record against the Dane on clay.
