Tough start for Wozniacki as Serena’s conqueror awaits
You could forgive tournament director Karl Budge for feeling a sense of deja vu during the draw ceremony for the women’s ASB Classic.
Twelve months ago Budge could only watch as one of the biggest tennis stars to ever play in Auckland, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, was bundled out in the second round by little known Madison Brengle.
Williams, of course, is not here this time around but Brengle is. And the 85th-ranked American just so happened to be drawn against top seed, world No 3 Caroline Wozniacki, in her opening match.
But if Budge was feeling nervous about the prospect of another tournament drawcard bowing out early, particularly with the chance of a high-profile semifinal between Wozniacki and fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska later in the week, he was not showing it.
‘‘It certainly raised eyebrows when that was read out but it is what it is,’’ Budge said of the Wozniacki-Brengle match-up.
‘‘I’ve long learned in this game I don’t get to plot where they go in the draw. The tournament really sits in the hands of the tennis gods so we just hope they’re kind.’’
Wozniacki certainly has plenty to play for in Auckland.
Looking to win the tournament for the first time in her fifth attempt, if the Danish star can make the breakthrough she may just find herself back at the top of the rankings.
For Wozniacki to get to No 1 she needs to win the Auckland title, with Garbine Muguruza losing before the final in Brisbane and Simona Halep losing before the quarterfinals in Shenzhen.
First things first, though, she has to get past Brengle.
Wozniacki has a strong record against the 27-year-old, winning both their previous matches without dropping a set. And Budge is banking on that run to continue.
‘‘Caroline is the number three player in the world for a reason,’’ he said. ‘‘As top-end talent goes she’s probably the most consistent too, she doesn’t tend to have too many off days.’’
Wozniacki was not the only leading player to be given a difficult first-up assignment.
Second seed Julia Goerges’ clash against reigning Olympic champion Monica Puig shapes as the match of the round, while third seed Barbora Strycova has been drawn against former French Open finalist Sara Errani.
Former world No 2 Radwanska opens her campaign against 71stranked Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The draw was somewhat kinder to Kiwi wildcard Jade Lewis, who will meet one of the two qualifiers. But the 19-year-old will not have the luxury of flying under the radar this week.
‘‘This time last year she didn’t have any pressure on her,’’ Budge said. ‘‘She had the freedom to play against Venus, she came through that match and impressed last year and the expectations probably go up a notch from where she was at last year.’’
Reigning champion Lauren Davis has also been drawn to play a qualifier as the fifth seed prepares to defend a title for the first time in her career.
‘‘There’s always those naysayers who take one look at my stature and just write me off,’’ Davis said during the draw ceremony at Auckland’s Ronald McDonald House.
‘‘I believe my purpose in life is to inspire people and to show that even at this height you can do big things, so that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.’’
ASB Classic Women’s Singles First Round [1] C. Wozniacki (DEN) vs. M. Brengle (USA) P. Martic (CRO) vs. M. Vondrousova (CZE) [WC] S. Kenin (USA) vs. Qualifier V. Lepchenko (USA) vs. [7] M. Barthel (GER) [4] A. Radwanska (POL) vs. B. Haddad Maia (BRA) C. Mchale (USA) vs. T. Townsend (USA) V. Cepede Royg (PAR) vs. L. Arruabarrena (ESP) Qualifier vs. [5] L. Davis (USA) [6] Y. Putintseva (KAZ) vs. Qualifier N. Hibino (JPN) vs. Su. Hsieh (TPE) K. Nara (JPN) vs. J. Larsson (SWE) [WC] S. Errani (ITA) vs. [3] B. Strycova (CZE) [8] D. Vekic (CRO) vs. K. Flipkens (BEL) P. Hercog (SLO) vs. A. Van Uytvanck (BEL) [WC] J. Lewis (NZL) vs. Qualifier M. Puig (PUR) vs. [2] J. Goerges (GER)