Karolina Pliskova out of Wimbledon after shock second-round defeat
Friday 7 July 2017 12:58, UK
Karolina Pliskova became the biggest casualty of Wimbledon so far, when the No 3 seed was sent packing by Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova.
Despite taking the first set on Centre Court, the 25-year-old from the Czech Republic was unable to finish off her opponent who deservedly ran out a 3-6 7-5 6-2 winner.
Because of her penetrating serve and strong flat forehand, Pliskova had been tipped by many as a possible champion this year.
When she broke serve to lead 3-2 in the second set, it appeared she was heading towards a routine victory.
However, the world No 87 broke back immediately and once again in game 12 to force a decider.
In the final set, Rybarikova was always in charge as she broke Pliskova three times and clinched victory on her first match point.
In six visits to Wimbledon, Pliskova is yet to progress beyond the second round but remained positive, saying: "I don't think I played bad today.
"That's tennis. You still can play well and you don't have to win. That's my case today. I think she was a very tricky opponent for a second round.
"Every round is tough. Even the best players, they can lose in the first round. Maybe in the past you won the first three or four matches, you almost didn't have to practise. But now it's different."
I think she was a very tricky opponent for a second round.
Rybarikova's unorthodox game, built on heavy slice, drop shots and a tenacious attitude, denied Pliskova any rhythm.
The Slovakian added: "I am speechless right now. It is an amazing feeling.
"It's special. I had two surgeries and hadn't played for seven months. It was a difficult time for me, and my coach told me that something good was going to happen. This is it."
Rybarikova now faces the world No 35 from Ukraine, Lesia Tsurenko, in round three, with the winner earning a spot in the last 16.
No such worries for top seed Angelique Kerber who reached the third round with a straight-sets victory over Kirsten Flipkens.
However, the German did not have it all her own way as she fought back from 3-5 down in the first set to win 7-5 7-5.
Last year's runner-up missed the chance to serve out at 5-4 in the second set before immediately breaking Flipkens in game 11.
The Belgian was unable to convert a break point in the 12th, which would have meant a tie-break, leaving the two-time Grand Slam winner to set up a tie with Shelby Rogers of the United States.
Meanwhile, former finalist Agnieszka Radwanska battled back from the brink of defeat to beat unseeded American Christina McHale.
The No 9 seed saved two match points in the second set tie-break, before posting a 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 victory on Court No 2, in a contest that lasted two hours, 45 minutes.
McHale, the world No 60, led 6-5 and 7-6 in the tie-break, and on the first of those match points had served for a spot in the last 32.
In the decider, she was broken in game three, with the former world No 2 and 2012 runner-up serving out for victory.
Out on Court No 17, American Bethanie Mattek-Sands was forced to retire after suffering a terrible injury in her match against Sorana Cirstea.
As she moved towards the net to play a volley, at the start of the third and deciding set, the 32-year-old's right leg crumpled beneath her and she fell to the turf screaming in agony.
Mattek-Sands, who is the reigning Olympic mixed doubles gold medallist, needed oxygen and 20 minutes of treatment before being carried off court.
At one stage she was just two points from victory, against the Romanian, who had levelled the contest by taking the second set tie-break 7-4.
Cirstea said: "It was heartbreaking to see her that way. I saw she was on the floor. Then she started screaming. I went over. I saw her knee out.
"I turned around and told them to bring a stretcher. I think everyone froze. No one was having any reaction.
"She went into shock. It took a while until the medical team was there. I think for a long time it was me, her husband and my physio.
"Her knee was in a very weird position. I've never seen anything like this probably except in the movies. I panicked a little bit as well.
"I tried to comfort her as much as I could. But you could feel the pain.
"It took a really long time for the stretcher to get there. I don't know for how long she was on the ground, but I would say 10, 15 minutes."
Cirstea will now face the 2015 runner-up, and former French Open champion, Garbine Muguruza.
The 23-year-old Spaniard eased past Yanina Wickmayer 6-2 6-4, without losing her serve.
Elsewhere, the No 12 seed from France, Kristina Mladenovic, was beaten 2-6 6-4 6-4 by American Alison Riske.
In the battle between two Russians, two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-0 7-5.
The No 7 seed raced through the opening set in just 24 minutes but had to fend off a set point at 4-5 in the second before sealing her spot in round three.
And last match out on Thursday evening involved Caroline Wozniacki who beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 6-3 6-4.
The No 5 seeded Dane dominated from start to finish against a tricky opponent who is a former semi-finalist at Wimbledon.
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