Wozniacki tested, then safely through

The Australian Open champion endured a tricky first set before steamrolling to victory over Danielle Collins.

 - Kate Battersby

Caroline Wozniacki wore an expression of blithe delight after her 7-6(2) 6-1 first-round victory over Danielle Collins on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday, looking for all the world as if her afternoon’s work was entirely routine. Not for a moment did she betray any awareness that many observers had wondered if she might be vulnerable in this match.

But wonder they had, in part through the possible presentation of ‘First Time Grand Slam Winner Syndrome’ following the Dane’s triumph at the Australian Open this year, and also because a clutch of eye-catching wins from Collins this year which had seen her rocket up the rankings from 172 in January to 42 now. Moreover, clay is hardly Wozniacki’s favourite surface, even though last year she made the quarter-finals here for the second time.

Collins, a Roland-Garros debutante at age 24, chose university over tennis, turning professional just last year and earning her first Tour-level win at Indian Wells just two months ago. A run to the fourth round there saw her defeat Madison Keys, and from there she became the first qualifier ever to reach the Miami semi-finals, earning her first top 10 win (over Venus Williams) en route.

But although she performed well against Wozniacki on the vast stage of Court Philippe-Chatrier for the near hour-long opening set, she could not sustain it for two. So it is the No.2 seed who graduates from this match into the second round.



“It feels great to be at a Grand Slam for the first time as a Grand Slam winner,” she smiled. “A little bit less pressure. I have one Grand Slam now so no matter what happens, no one can take that away from me. It definitely gives you confidence. But this is a new tournament, a new day, and you just have to keep trying to be better every day.”

Wozniacki is one of – gasp – 13 major champions who started in this main draw. Moreover, she is among the six players who might be at No.1 by the time Roland-Garros is over. As usual the calculations at this stage are labyrinthine, but Wozniacki feels she “has a chance” here, even though she won the last of her four career titles on clay seven years ago.

“I think the level is very high right now," she said. "There are so many great players out there. Generally the French Open is the Grand Slam where you have the most surprise champions, in my opinion. And we [the women] don't have a Rafa on our Tour that is the best all-time on clay with the perfect game for this surface.

"It's great for someone like me, because I feel like I have a chance. So you just have to be out there and keep grinding and keep trying.”

Next up is either qualifier Georgina Garcia Perez or lucky loser Dalila Jakupovic.