Caroline Wozniacki beaten by lucky loser Varvara Gracheva in Cincinnati, Victoria Azarenka stuns Barbora Krejcikova
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Updated 15/08/2023 at 22:08 GMT
Caroline Wozniacki has been knocked out in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters following defeat by lucky loser Varvara Gracheva. Meanwhile, the unseeded Victoria Azarenka stunned 11th seed Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 7-5. Last year's runner-up Petra Kvitova recorded a 7-6(2) 6-0 victory over Anna Blinkova, while fifth seed Ons Jabeur rallied to beat Anhelina Kalinina.
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Caroline Wozniacki was eliminated by lucky loser Varvara Gracheva in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters.
Wozniacki has made a return to tennis following three-and-a-half years away, announcing her comeback plans in June after giving birth to two children.
The former world No. 1 marked her comeback with victory over Kimberly Birrell at the Canadian Open before losing to Marketa Vondrousova in the second round.
On Tuesday, Wozniacki suffered a 6-4 6-4 loss to France's Gracheva, who entered the tournament after Elina Svitolina withdrew with a foot injury.
Wozniacki, 33, crafted nine break opportunities but failed to convert any.
The Dane was broken in her second service game and the second set followed a similar pattern as Gracheva grabbed the break in the opening game and went on to seal a comfortable win.
Meanwhile, the unseeded Victoria Azarenka stunned 11th seed Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 7-5.
Azarenka broke her opponent four times as he prevailed in a match lasting one hour and 45 minutes. The Belarusian also saved three of five break points and won the final five games.
"I am just a fighter and I will keep going until I get it right," Azarenka said.
"My mentality has been like this since I'm a kid. Growing up not in the greatest conditions I had to fight for everything and that really shaped my personality today."
Fifth seed Ons Jabeur fought back from 5-1 down in the third set to win 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(2) against Anhelina Kalinina.
Jabeur was playing her first match since losing in the Wimbledon final.
Last year’s runner-up Petra Kvitova recorded a 7-6(2), 6-0 victory over Anna Blinkova, while Jelena Ostapenko beat 2016 champion Karolina Pliskova 1-6 6-3 6-4 and will next face fourth seed Elena Rybakina.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka both play their opening matches on Wednesday.
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