In her first competitive match since taking more than three years off to conceive a family, Caroline Wozniacki easily defeated Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2 6-2 on Tuesday in Montreal to advance to the second round of the Canadian Open.
Throughout the 97-minute encounter, the Danish wildcard, who revealed in June that she was coming out of retirement, had excellent anticipation, mobility, and shot selection that gave the impression that she had never left the sport.
When Wozniacki entered the Montreal court, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond was playing over the speakers, and French signs reading “Welcome Back Caro” lined some of the top seating level.
Wozniacki, who won the Australian Open in 2018, was also handed wild cards to play in the Cincinnati Open the next week and the U.S. Open from August 28 to September 10.