Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova (25) suffered a surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon on Tuesday, becoming the first female title holder to fall at the opening stage since Steffi Graf 30 years ago.
Czech player Vondrousova, who famously won the title last year as an unseeded player, experienced a disappointing defeat with a score of 6-4, 6-2 against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 83rd in the world and having won just one tour-level match this year prior to Wimbledon, secured her first victory in a Grand Slam by hitting a decisive backhand down the line.
The Spaniard hit the ball cleanly throughout an unremarkable Centre Court clash, but only really needed to keep it in play as errors flew from the champion’s racket with alarming regularity.
“It is one of the most important moments of my life,” the Spaniard smiled as she soaked up the cheers. “I’m just… I’m surprised with myself to be honest.
“The atmosphere was so nice, so… elegant… it feels like I was at home, I don’t know why,” she added, explaining her lack of nerves on one of the sport’s greatest stages.
Dealing with a hip injury that disrupted her preparation, sixth-seeded Vondrousova now exits the tournament.
Meanwhile, Bouzas Maneiro, who caused the upset, will advance to face either compatriot Cristina Bucsa or Romanian Ana Bogdan in the second round.
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