Wozniacki, Stosur, Hewitt knocked out of Australian Open
Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will have to keep waiting for that first Grand Slam title. This year's No. 8 seed fell to Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, 6-4, 6-2.
It was early in the tournament for such a high-profile matchup, but lined up this way because Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, is ranked 44 in the world after battling several injuries.
Wozniacki reached the semifinals in Melbourne in 2011, but it's been all downhill from there. She's been knocked out one round earlier each year.
"I think it's a curse I've gotten here," she said. "I've made semis, then quarters, then fourth round, then third round, this year second round. It's kind of gone that way the last few years. Hopefully I'm going to break that next year and start going the other way."
American CoCo Vandeweghe is also moving on to the third round after defeating 20th-seed Sam Stosur on Thursday, 6-4, 6-4. Stosur is a former U.S. Open champion and was the last Australian woman remaining in the draw.
Vandeweghe, 23, served 11 aces and hit 29 winners in the match.
“This is my first time on Rod Laver Arena, to play against Sam, I couldn’t ask for a better intro,” she said afterwards. “I’m sorry to beat a hometown favourite.”
Vandeweghe will face fellow American Madison Brengle in the next round, as both make their first appearance in the third round of a grand slam. Brengle defeated Irina Falconi, 6-1, 6-3.
Venus Williams is also on to the third round; in doubles, the Williams sisters advanced to the second round.
It was a rough day all-around for Australian fans, as hometown favorite Lleyton Hewitt also made an early exit. Playing in his 19th consecutive Australian Open, Hewitt came out firing, taking the first two sets over German Benjamin Becker. He looked solid, reminding fans of vintage Hewitt - but then fell apart. Becker took the final three sets for the 2-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.
Fellow crowd pleaser Gael Monfils is out as well, falling to Jerzy Janowicz, 6-4, 1-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Legend Billie Jean King reflects:
