The knock on Caroline Wozniacki is that she's susceptible to the knockout punch (who isn't, though?) but can't deliver one of her own. She never had to worry about that today against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, a player who's made her way into the Top 30 with even less weaponry than Wozniacki. In a clash of consistency, Wozniacki, the most consistent player on tour as its No. 1, defeated the crafty lefty, 6-1, 6-3.
Martinez Sanchez isn't going to hit anyone off the court, but she can hit an opponent around one. Very well, actually. She relies on a high, looping forehand to keep adversaries at bay, then likes to throw in a change-of-pace backhand, some no-pace slice or a net foray in an effort to end points. Overall, her tactics have been successful on tour, her apex coming last year in Rome, where she unexpectedly reached the final. She defeated Wozniacki during that run, and did so twice beforehand. Frankly, I'm not sure how—today, Wozniacki handled Martinez Sanchez's shots with ease and wasn't frazzled by droppers, net rushes and other strange shotmaking. The disparity between the two was obvious, the result—the Dane's first career win against Martinez Sanchez—never in doubt.
It was an uphill battle for Martinez Sanchez from the onset; in the first set she made a paltry 28 percent of her first serves. Wozniacki took advantage, going on offense as soon as the second serves arrived. Her returns left the Spaniard, who carries a distinctive grunt, audibly scrambling during many points. Aside from a strong start in the second set, Martinez Sanchez never found her groove. On this day, her bark was louder than her bite.
—Ed McGrogan