Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova was knocked out within the first spherical of Wimbledon on Tuesday, the primary feminine holder to fall on the opening hurdle since Steffi Graf 30 years in the past.
Czech Vondrousova, who grew to become the primary unseeded girl to raise the title final yr, earned a far much less welcome accolade after a 6-4 6-2 defeat by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Ranked world quantity 83, Bouzas Maneiro had gained just one tour-level match all yr heading into Wimbledon, however secured her first win throughout all Grand Slams when she slapped a backhand down the road.
“It is without doubt one of the most necessary moments of my life,” the Spaniard smiled as she soaked up the cheers. “I’m simply… I’m shocked with myself to be sincere.
“The environment was so good, so… elegant… it appears like I used to be at dwelling, I don’t know why,” she added, explaining her lack of nerves on one of many sport’s best phases.
The 21-year-old from Galicia hit the ball cleanly all through an unremarkable Centre Court docket conflict, however solely actually wanted to maintain it in play as errors flew from champion Vondrousova’s racket with alarming regularity.
Fighting a hip harm which derailed her preparation, sixth-seeded Vondrousova now heads for the exit whereas Bouzas Maneiro will subsequent face compatriot Cristina Bucsa or Romanian Ana Bogdan within the second spherical.
