Google News Caroline Wozniacki draws Elina Svitolina in blockbuster Auckland first-round matchup
by DZEVAD MESIC
The Auckland first-round action is set to feature a major matchup as Caroline Wozniacki is set to take on Elina Svitolina. After making successful comebacks to tennis as mothers in 2023, Wozniacki and Svitolina are set to start their 2024 seasons in Auckland. Now that the draw is out, it has been revealed that they will meet in the first round and that their match will highlight the start of the tournament.
Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, was retired for three and a half years before un-retiring in August. During her retirement, Wozniacki started a family and welcomed two kids. Although Wozniacki is now 33 and she was out of tennis for a really long time, she quickly proved that she still has it by reaching the US Open round-of-16 in her third tournament back.
On the other side, Svitolina - a former world No. 3 - became a mother in 2022 October and she was out of tennis for 13 months before returning in April. Since returning, Svitolina has been one of the most impressive stories on the WTA Tour as the Ukrainian won a WTA 250 title in Strasbourg and also reached the Wimbledon semifinal and the French Open quarterfinal, respectively.
Wozniacki, Svitolina set for their sixth meeting
When Wozniacki, 33, and 29-year-old Svitolina meet, it will be their sixth meeting. Going into the Auckland match, Svitolina owns a 4-1 head-to-head against Svitolina.
Their first meeting came in 2016 Miami, when Svitolina claimed a tight three-set win. In their next two meetings at 2017 Dubai and 2017 Toronto, Svitolina claimed straight-set wins to go 3-0 against Wozniacki.
At the 2017 WTA Finals, Wozniacki finally got her first win over Svitolina after beating the Ukrainian in straight sets. In 2018, they met for the fifth time as Svitolina defeated Wozniacki at the WTA Finals to go 4-1 up in her head-to-head against the Dane.
Going into their Auckland match, it seems like a pretty equal matchup on paper. It remains to be seen who will win the sixth meeting between Wozniacki and Svitolina in Auckland.