Women’s Storylines of the US Open Series

Will Caro match her 2014 run?

Sep 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) serves to Serena Williams (USA) during the women

When the Summer of 2014 rolled around, Caroline Wozniacki looked to be caught in the grasp of an ever-so cruel (not to mention irrevocable) decline. The Dane’s defensive, passive play saw her crash out in the first round of the French Open and fall as low as No. 18 in the world.

And then something clicked.

Her groundstrokes had more bite, and the number of winners she hit per match grew exponentially, as she was no longer content with chasing down her opponents’ balls until they succumbed to her defences and committed an error.

Her more aggressive game took her on a title run in Istanbul and deliver an admirable showing at Wimbledon (let’s face it; a fourth-round appearance is about as good as it gets on the grass for Wozniacki). But it was her performances on the American hard courts that indicated that the former numero uno was back in top form. Wozniacki reached the quarterfinals and semifinals in Canada and Cincinnati, respectively, falling each time to Serena Williams in tight three-set matches.

Of course, these results were minuscule in contrast to the Dane’s finals appearance at the US Open just a few weeks later. Massacring her way to the championship match, Wozniacki looked like the (second) best player in the world.

Now, Wozniacki has a plethora of points to defend leading up to, and during the US Open. And given her unremarkable form throughout 2015, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her fail to match her 2014 results and fall towards the bottom of the top 10.

But, Wozniacki does love this time of year, and the US Open will always represent her best chance to claim a maiden grand slam title.

We’ll know within a few weeks whether the Dane can revitalise her average 2015 season, or whether a fall from the top 5 is inevitable.

Next: Muguruza's Rise