© Getty Photos Sport – Orlando Ramirez
Caroline Wozniacki was heard describing Indian Wells’ windy situations as “unattainable to play in” and Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs chimed in by confirming that the Dane’s assertion is just about true.
On Wednesday, Wozniacki – who ended her retirement after three and a half years final August – formally stepped on the court docket in Indian Wells for the primary time since 2019. Enjoying in opposition to Zhu Lin, Wozniacki managed to win a really tight opener 7-6 (6) earlier than the match was suspended as a consequence of rain.
“It is unattainable to play on this wind,” Wozniacki quipped in the course of the first set.
Stubbs, who Wiliams specifically employed for her last match on the 2022 US Open, agreed with Wozniacki by stating that Indian Wells is completely some of the tournaments to play condition-wise. Stubbs, a former six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, gained two Indian Wells doubles throughout her profession – with Helena Sukova in 1993 and Lisa Raymond in 2002, respectively.
Responding to Wozniacki’s touch upon X, Stubbs wrote: “4 of the windiest locations on tour. Indian Wells, Miami, Eastbourne & Doha. Nearly unattainable to play at occasions in these locations due to winds. I didn’t heat up for a last in Indian Wells as soon as as a result of it was too windy, similar in Doha. Miami cancelled a day as a result of it was harmful.”
4 of the windiest locations on tour. Indian Wells, Miami, Eastbourne & Doha. Nearly unattainable to play at occasions in these locations due to winds. I didn’t heat up for a last in Indian Wells as soon as as a result of it was too windy, similar in Doha. Miami cancelled a day as a result of it was harmful
— Rennae Stubbs 🇦🇺👍🏼 (@rennaestubbs) March 7, 2024
Wozniacki struggled however gained the primary set in opposition to Zhu earlier than the match suspension
2011 Indian Wells champion Wozniacki did not actually make an excellent begin to the match, struggling an early break as Zhu began with a 2-0 lead. Down by an early break, Wozniacki managed to bounce again with back-to-back breaks and win the following 4 video games to overturn the deficit and go 4-2 up.
Simply when it appeared that the momentum was shifting Wozniacki’s method, the Dane received damaged again within the seventh recreation after which didn’t convert a break level within the eighth recreation as Zhu tied the primary set to 4 video games apiece.
Within the eleventh recreation, Wozniacki saved two consecutive break factors to open a 6-5 lead however then additionally missed out on a set level within the twelfth recreation as Zhu managed to drive a tie-break.
Within the first-set tie-break, Wozniacki went 6-4 as much as give herself two consecutive set factors – however after not realizing a set level late within the twelfth recreation, the Dane missed out on these two set factors as nicely. Nonetheless, Wozniacki did not panic as she earned her fourth set level and eventually realized it to win a really tight opener.
Within the second set, just one recreation was performed earlier than the match was suspended as a consequence of rain as Zhu efficiently held on to her serve. The match continues on Thursday.
