ADVERTISEMENT

Muguruza in shock upset, Kerber rolls on at US Open

Number three seed Garbine Muguruza was a shock second-round casualty at the US Open on Wednesday.

___5442285___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5442285___2016___9___1___11___garbinemuguruza-cropped_1wxut1b7kr20w1mhlkmowwktcy_2

French Open champion Muguruza lost in the second round at Wimbledon and she exited at the same stage in New York, upstaged by Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets.

While Muguruza packed her bags, world number two Angelique Kerber advanced to the next round at the year's final grand slam.

Fellow seeds Roberta Vinci, Madison Keys, Petra Kvitova, Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic also emerged from round two.

MUGURUZA FAREWELLS FLUSHING MEADOWS

ADVERTISEMENT

By far the biggest casualty in the women's draw, Muguruza's poor end to the year continued with a stunning 7-5 6-4 loss to her Latvian opponent.

The Spaniard has struggled since winning the French Open and that continued on Wednesday, with 38 unforced errors proving her undoing at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Muguruza led 4-2 during the first set against Sevastova and served for it in the 10th game, only to drop three straight.

Sevastova went 4-0 up in the second before nerves kicked in, only to break the Muguruza serve to seal victory and a third-round meeting with Kateryna Bondarenko.

THIRD ROUND BECKONS FOR KERBER

ADVERTISEMENT

The Australian Open champion, Olympic Games silver medallist and Wimbledon runner-up defeated Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-2 7-6 (9-7) in the second round.

Kerber appeared on course for a dominant victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium, having outplayed her opponent to move into a 6-2 4-1 lead in hot New York conditions.

However, Kerber suffered an uncharacteristic slump to allow Lucic-Baroni - whose own erratic performance was highlighted by 37 winners and 55 unforced errors - back into the match and the Croat even had two set points to force a decider.

Kerber regained her composure, though, and the German booked her place in round three in a time of one hour, 32 minutes.

Last year's finalist Vinci - the seventh seed - saw off Christina McHale 6-1 6-3, eighth seed Keys crushed Kayla Day 6-1 6-1, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova overcame Cagla Buyukakcay 7-6 (7-2) 6-3, Svitolina outlasted Lauren Davis 6-1 4-6 6-3 and Bencic trumped Andrea Petkovic 6-3 6-2.

ADVERTISEMENT

MORE US WOEPEN FOR KUZNETSOVA AGAINST WOZNIACKI

It has been a testing year for former world number one Caroline Wozniacki as poor form and injuries have seen her plummet down the rankings to 74.

A second-round encounter against ninth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova appeared a daunting task and at 4-0 down in the first set the situation was bleak for Wozniacki.

However, the Dane - a two-time runner-up - battled back for a 6-4 6-4 victory, a reward for an aggressive approach as 24 winners outweighed 17 unforced errors.

For Kuznetsova it marked further disappointment after she was beaten by Wozniacki at the 2009 and 2011 US Opens.

ADVERTISEMENT

KONTA FEELS THE HEAT, CIBULKOVA FIGHTS OFF INJURY

Johanna Konta, seeded 13th, continued her fine season by defeating Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach round three.

There was a moment of concern for the Briton, though, when she required treatment after seemingly struggling with the heat and stating "I feel like my whole body is in shock".

Konta had her blood pressure taken and her heart rate monitored, but she returned to play and win the third set.

Slovak 12th seed Dominika Cibulkova was in a similarly difficult spot as a thigh injury midway through the first set against Evgeniya Rodina left her fearing for her tournament, but she recovered to win 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-2.

ADVERTISEMENT

WILLIAMS SISTERS HEADLINE DAY FOUR

World number one Serena continues her quest for a 23rd major with a clash against Vania King on Thursday, while sister Venus faces Julia Goerges. Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep will meet Lucie Safarova and fourth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska is to play Naomi Broady.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT