Caroline Wozniacki shares key to upsetting Elena Rybakina after saving

Caroline Wozniacki says she will pretty much have to deliver a near-perfect performance and do well in all aspects to have a shot at upsetting Elena Rybakina after surviving a thriller Wimbledon second-round match. 

On Thursday, former world No. 1 Wozniacki – who came out of retirement last summer – turned back the clock and finished on top in a very dramatic finish as she saved two match points en route to beating 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3 2-6 7-5. 

As a reward, 2018 Australian Open champion Wozniacki will get a chance to play next against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. When Wozniacki, 33, and 25-year-old Rybakina meet on Saturday, it will be their first meeting. 

After winning Wimbledon in 2022 and also being a quarterfinalist last year, No. 4 seed Rybakina is again among the top favorites for the title and Wozniacki is aware of that. 

“That’s gonna be a tough one. I gotta serve well, return well, move well, do everything well for a chance to beat her,” Wozniacki said when asked about facing Rybakina next.

Wozniacki on saving two match points versus Fernandez

At 3-3 in the third set, Wozniacki wanted the match suspended due to darkness and her wish was granted. Then, the match was moved from Court 12 to Court 1 and Wozniacki and Fernandez continued their match around an hour later. 

When the match continued, Fernandez won the opening six points and led 4-3 and had 0-30 on Wozniacki’s serve. Just when it seemed that the 21-year-old Canadian will get a break and get a chance to serve out for the match, the former world No. 1 saved two break points in that game and managed to tie the decider to four games apiece.

After Fernandez served out the ninth game to go 5-4 up, she had two match points on Wozniacki’s serve but the 33-year-old Dane stepped up big time on those points and managed to survive the game. 
 
Fernandez then paid the price for not…