Caroline Wozniacki maintains remarkable comeback with US Open victory over Jennifer Brady

Caroline Wozniacki beat Jennifer Brady 4-6 6-3 6-1 as her remarkable return in tennis was matched by a sterling comeback in her US Open third-round tie.

Brady had also been out for two years after suffering from a long-term knee problem that prevented her from competing for all of 2022.

The 33-year-old Dane broke Brady early on in the first set to go 2-1 clear, but her younger rival broke back quickly.

The American, 28, had never gotten further than the second round in New York, and she won the first set 6-4 when a lengthy rally ended with a rusty shot from Wozniacki, sending her effort too long.

It was a matter of tables turning in the second set, when this time a lengthy exchange ended with Wozniacki taking the final point.

She carried that confidence into the opening stages of the decisive third as she broke Brady once more, and ended breaking her rival six times over the course of the match as she secured the third set with the most comfortable period of her performance, with a 6-1 scoreline.

Speaking on court after her win, Wozniacki spoke about her daughter, saying: “I definitely see myself in her. She’s very determined. She has a bit of a temper. She wants to play tennis. Every morning she wakes up and says ‘Mama, let’s play.’ I have it coming for me, that’s for sure.”

She continued: “To be here playing on Arthur Ashe stadium, it’s a dream come true. I didn’t think I’d be here again. When I retired and had kids, I never thought I’d be here again.. what an honour this is.”

Wozniacki will play her round-of-16 tie on Sunday, her first appearance in that stage of Grand Slam since 2018.