On Double Duty, Wozniacki Flies into Charleston Quarterfinals

Caroline Wozniacki had a long day at the office Thursday at the Volvo Car Open.

But the 2011 champion here was diligent in her duties, winning two matches in straight sets and punching her ticket into the quarterfinals for the first time since she last played in Charleston, back in 2013.

MORE: What to Watch on Friday | Full Schedule | Get Your Tickets

“Honestly, I’m just playing right now,” a matter-of-fact Wozniacki – the former world No. 1 – told reporters. “It was tough conditions to play in this wind, a little chilly tonight as well.”

After opening the day with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Annika Beck, she returned a few hours later to beat qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 6-3, 6-3.

It was a difficult day for everyone to play on Thursday, as 20-mile-an-hour winds whipped through Daniel Island after a stormy spell on Wednesday night washed out play, including Wozniacki’s match. Players worked to cope with the challenging conditions, which No. 8 seed Anastasija Sevastova described as “like playing in a tornado.”

Wozniacki and Sevastova were the only top eight seeds to survive, however, as No. 6 Sam Stosur was upset by Irina-Camelia Begu and No. 7 Kiki Bertens lost to veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

The 2017 Volvo Car Open has turned into quite the story for local Shelby Rogers. Her inspiring effort on court has lead her to the quarterfinals here for the first time, where she is joined by Jelena Ostapenko, Daria Kasatkina and Laura Siegemund – all unseeded quarterfinalists.

Rogers’ dream continued on Thursday. Just a little over 24 hours after she stunned top seed Madison Keys, she came back and was on fire against a dangerous foe in Naomi Osaka, winning 6-4, 6-2 in front of a late-night crowd.

“It’s still kind of hard to believe,” Rogers said after the win. “I don’t think it’s sunk in quite yet. I mean I’ve been trying for years, coming here, trying my hardest… (but) it’s always been a little bit tough for me to play here, and so it’s all been worth it.”

In doubles, top seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova won their opening match, but not without a challenge from American youngsters Elizabeth Halbauer and Sofia Kenin, winning 6-3, 6-2 on Althea Gibson Club Court.

No. 2 seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Sania Mirza weren’t as lucky, falling 6-2, 6-4 to Raquel Atawo and Ostapenko.

Mattek-Sands and Safarova are former doubles champions here, but are looking to win together in Charleston for the first time after being finalists together in 2016.