Wozniacki makes triumphant return to reach Montreal second round

Caroline Wozniacki, in her first competitive match after more than three years away to start a family, cruised by Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-2 6-2 in Montreal on Tuesday (Aug 8) to reach the second round of the Canadian Open.

The Danish wildcard, who announced in June that she was coming out of retirement, showed great anticipation, movement and shot selection throughout the 97-minute match that made it look as though she had never left the sport.

"It just feels great to be back out there competing," Wozniacki, who won this event in 2010, said in her on-court interview.

"I thought I played well in the first set, you know just finding my rhythm, and then I lost the rhythm a little bit in the second so it was a grind. But I'm just happy that I somehow managed to win that one."

Wozniacki received a warm welcome when she walked on to the Montreal court as Neil Diamond's famous "Sweet Caroline" song blared through the speakers while a "Welcome Back Caro" sign in French lined part of the upper seating level.

The 33-year-old Wozniacki dropped the opening game on her serve but then built up a 3-1 lead and wrapped up the frame in 42 minutes when world number 115 Birrell committed three double faults while serving to extend the set.

Birrell stepped up the pressure in the second set, which was on serve until Wozniacki took advantage of some untimely double faults by the Australian to pull ahead 4-2.

From there, Wozniacki never looked back, ultimately sealing the win on her first match point when she sent a backhand to the open court.

Up next for Wozniacki, will be a clash with either ninth-seeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, or Mayar Sherif of Egypt.

Wozniacki, citing her desire to start a family with her