Wozniacki Makes Winning Return to Charleston, Anisimova Speeds Past Cornet

By Nick McCarvel Apr 1, 2024 05:42pm ET

Credit One Stadium, Credit One Charleston Open 2024 Credit One Charleston Open Day 3 at Credit One Stadium on April 01, 2024 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Thirteen years after her 2011 title here, Caroline Wozniacki made a winning return to the Credit One Charleston Open that was five years in the making.

Wozniacki, who was runner-up in 2019 in her most recent appearance in Lowcountry, stepped away from tennis in early 2020 before returning to the game mid-2023.

The former world No.1 and 2018 Australian Open champion looked as sharp as ever on Monday (April 1), dispatching American lucky loser McCartney Kessler 6-0 6-1 in just 61 minutes played.

The wild card will face No.16 seed Anhelina Kalinina in the second round.

MORE: Tuesday schedule | Updated draws

American Amanda Anisimova looked as close to as good as Wozniacki, herself having taken nearly nine months away from the WTA Tour last year for a break from the tour. The New Jersey native overpowered French veteran Alize Cornet, 6-3 6-0 to earn a date with top seed Jessica Pegula on Tuesday night.

American Katie Volynets qualified for her debut in Charleston over the weekend, then won the longest match of the 2024 WTA calendar – saving two match points en route – against Arantxa Rus, winning in three hours and 44 minutes, 6-2 6-7(6) 7-6(6).

Other winners Monday included Magda Linette and Daria Saville in singles, while Madison Keys and Taylor Townsend teamed up for a doubles win over the No.3 seeds Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi 6-1 2-6 10-7.

Varvara Gracheva nabbed her first main draw win since the Australian Open, while Jaqueline Cristian beat Sachia Vickery and Viktoria Tomova won in three over Mayar Sherif.

Home hope Shelby Rogers opened the night session with a 6-1 6-1 decisive win over fellow American Claire Liu. You can read more on that victory here.