WTA Wimbledon: Garbine Muguruza exit opens draw

Omnisports

June 30, 2016 3:16 AM

The bottom half of the Wimbeldon draw has been blown open by Garbine Muguruza's second-round exit.

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Garbine Muguruza suffered a surprise exit from Wimbledon at the second round on Thursday, but Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and Venus Williams all made it through.

Muguruza produced numerous errors as she was beaten 6-3 6-2 by an aggressive Jana Cepelova on Court No.1 - the Slovakian securing her third win against a top-five opponent in three years.

Radwanska came through a tough encounter with Ana Konjuh, but things were more routine for Kerber, Halep and Williams.

Karolina Pliskova, Sara Errani, Jelena Jankovic, Kristina Mladenovic and Andrea Petkovic were among a number of seeds to tumble on Thursday.

MUGURUZA EXIT OPENS DRAW

Following her French Open victory and having made the Wimbledon final last year, Muguruza was tipped to challenge for a second grand slam of her career.

However, the second seed was comfortably beaten by Slovakian qualifier Cepelova in straight sets, setting up a clash with Lucie Safarova in the third round.

Muguruza's exit will be a boost for the likes of Kerber and Halep as it leaves the bottom half of the draw without a clear favourite.

VENUS, KERBER, HALEP AND RADWANSKA THROUGH

Eighth seed Williams suffered three breaks of serve as she dropped a set against Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari, but proved too strong in the decider and claimed a 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory – also triumphing in the doubles with sister Serena later in the day.

Kerber dispatched of Varvara Lepchenko 6-1 6-4 while Samantha Stosur, seeded 14th, did not have as much luck as she was sent packing 6-4 6-2 by 2013 finalist Sabine Lisicki.

Just 66 minutes were needed for Halep to see off Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-1, while Radwanska staved off three match points before beating Ana Konjuh – who sustained an ankle injury in the final set – 6-2 4-6 9-7.

BENCIC RETIRES INJURED

Belinda Bencic was trailing 6-4 1-0 to American qualifier Julia Boserup on Court No.3 when she opted to retire due

The 19-year-old seventh seed put on an impressive display to defeat Tsvetana Pironkova on Centre Court on Wednesday, but was unable to play on through a wrist issue one day later.

"I always try to go on the court to see what happens and how I feel. It just wasn't enough. I cannot play like this against such a good player," said Bencic.

Heather Watson took Serena to three sets in a sensational third-round match in the 2015 edition, and she would likely have met the world number one at that stage again this year.

However, Watson was unable to get beyond her opening encounter with Annika Beck, who came out on top when their rain-delayed match resumed on Thursday.

After falling a set behind, Beck claimed the second to love before completing a mammoth 3-6 6-0 12-10 victory that spanned two hours and 54 minutes, the Brit failing to convert any of the three set points that came her way.

Omnisports

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