Caroline Wozniacki remains under an immense amount of scrutiny and expectation, while at the same time almost forgotten about.
Whether it’s the fact Petra Kvitova is hot on her ranking’s heels, or that the mythical Grand Slam title still eludes her, or that she made a joke about a kangaroo a year ago, Wozniacki has not always made the headlines for the right reasons.
Her opening night’s encounter against Anastasia Rodionova was anticipated with mixed feelings.
“I was a bit nervous,” she admitted afterwards. “I didn’t know exactly what to expect. You always want to get a good start in the first round.”
After a fairly tight first series of games, during which the Dane seemed to test out the wrist she injured in Sydney, she made her move in the sixth game of the first set, breaking the rather volatile Australian to lead 4-2.
Cementing the break after just 35 minutes, Wozniacki went forehand to backhand with ease, taking the set after 42 minutes.
Then she reminded us why she is still world No.1.
When Wozniacki is fit and healthy, there is no out-hitting her, because she simply gets everything back.
Taking an early break in the second set after a slightly torturous game, she reeled off a hold, another break and another hold, leaving the Australian serving not only to stay in the match, but also to avoid the perilously humiliating bagel.
Rodionova, a tricky character who has not always been the most popular, yielded a tremendous cheer from the Rod Laver Arena crowd as she struggled her way through the hold, having the good grace to smile at the situation.
But it was delaying the inevitable, Wozniacki serving her way to a 6-2, 6-1 win in an hour and 16 minutes.
“I’m pretty happy about the way I played,” she said. “I got into the rhythm, started to play more comfortably, and it paid off.
“You can of course always improve, but it’s a good start for me. I think you improve all the time, small bits and pieces here and there. That’s why tennis is so interesting, but also so frustrating on the practice court, because you’re never perfect.”
Monday night’s performance is not to say that Wozniacki is suddenly a title favourite. There remain players who still look more likely to claim the silverware – Kim Clijsters, Petra Kvitova and Serena Williams included.
But, under the auspices of new coach Ricardo Sanchez, albeit with Piotr Wozniacki still maneouvering in the background, it seems like Wozniacki may well have got her confidence back.
