CHARLESTON – World number one Caroline Wozniacki cruised into the third round of the Charleston WTA on Wednesday, as she fought to banish memories of last year’s injury disappointment. “I’m feeling good on clay, so it’s exciting. It’s always exciting to start here,” top-seed Wozniacki said after dispatching American qualifier Irina Falconi 6-1, 6-1.
At last year’s tournament Wozniacki was forced to retire during her semi-final match against Russia’s Vera Zvonareva when she hurt her ankle sliding on the green clay court.
“You think about it sometimes, a little bit sometimes, especially when you go after drop shots,” she said. “But on the other hand, this is a tournament that I’ve always enjoyed playing and center court is so cozy.” Wozniacki, winner of titles this year in Dubai and Indian Wells, encountered little resistance from the 128th-ranked Falconi, who had never before faced a number one player.
The Dane took a 5-0 lead, and won the last six games to win the match. “She was playing good, but I felt like I could put that extra step into the ball,” Wozniacki, 20, said. “I made the winners at the right chances.” Wozniacki is one of three top-10 players in the field. World number five Samantha Stosur, the defending champion and second seed, defeated Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 6-1, 6-2. Stosur said her status as defending champion gave her a boost.
“I think it definitely, maybe, lifts your shoulders up a little bit and puts a smile on your face,” she said. World number eight Jelena Jankovic, the third seed and winner here in 2007, also advanced, beating Austrian Tamira Paszek 6-2, 6-3.
Fourth-seeded Marion Bartoli of France was an upset victim, falling to 2009 Charleston champion Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-2, 6-3. Seventh-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia made it safely into the third round, defeating Romanian Edina Gallovits 6-1, 6-1.
