Caroline Wozniacki had a pretty routine 6-1, 7-5 victory over World No. 133 Mihaela Buzarnescu. The Dane dominated the return game, winning 54 percent of return points and converting five of seven break point opportunities.
It was a promising start for Wozniacki, who has had an odd season in 2017. Despite her impressive 48-17 record (29-9 on hard court), she has yet to win a single title. She’s made it to six finals (four on hard court), but has conspired to lose all six.
Wozniacki also remains without a Grand Slam in her career, but she’s come the closest to attaining one at Flushing. The Dane has reached the final of the US Open twice, and has made the semifinals three other times.
And based on her perfect 7-0 career record against second-round opponent Ekaterina Makarova, she should take one more step toward making it back to that stage of the tournament.
Ekaterina Makarova made remarkably quick work of her first-round opponent, Mona Barthel. The Russian rushed to a 6-2, 6-1 win as she put 74 percent of her first serves in play and won 52 percent of return points.
Makarova is having a solid season in 2017, going 22-17 overall and 16-9 on hard court. She won her lone title of the season on hard court in Washington DC.
Makarova has yet to get the better of Wozniacki when they’ve faced off through the years, but this meeting at Flushing could finally be her time to break her duck.
The Russian has had a real habit of raising her game against superior opposition. In this season alone, she’s got eight wins over five players currently in the top 15 in the world: Dominika Cibulkova (three times), Angelique Kerber (twice), Agnieszka Radwanska, Simona Halep, and Johanna Konta.
Writer’s Prediction
Wozniacki (-400) remains unbeaten against Makarova as she moves on to the third round.
