Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was knocked out of the US Open as Australia was introduced again all the way down to earth after a vastly profitable opening two days.
The No.8-seeded Krejcikova went down within the second spherical, defeated by qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 7-5.
Krejcikova gained her second grand slam singles title on the All England Membership earlier this 12 months, however then she did not play any matches after the Paris Olympics. She acknowledged final week not understanding the place her stage of play was.
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Seems, it wasn’t adequate.
“I imply, successful Wimbledon is wonderful. It’s an incredible, nice, nice end result, I’m very proud about it and the way I used to be in a position to deal with all the pieces there,” mentioned Krejcikova, who hadn’t performed a event on exhausting courts since February.
“I believe I used to be enjoying fairly properly, undoubtedly higher than within the first match. I believe my recreation was enhancing, however it simply wasn’t sufficient.”
Ruse received far more work on the US Open’s exhausting courts whereas enjoying her manner into the primary draw via the qualifying event and was higher than Krejcikova on the factors that mattered most, preventing again from a 5-3 deficit within the second set to win the ultimate 4 video games.
“Barbora, she’s such a superb participant, she’s gained so many matches within the final two years and it’s only a dream for me,” mentioned Ruse, a 26-year-old from Romania.
No lady has gained Wimbledon and the US Open in the identical 12 months since Serena Williams in 2012.
Ruse superior to the third spherical of a grand slam for the primary time and can play No.26 seed Paula Badosa, who eradicated American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5.
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It was a troublesome day for the Aussies after a profitable opening couple of days however they ended day three with out successful a set.
Two Australian ladies had been despatched packing as Madison Keys rolled previous Maya Joint 6-4, 6-0, whereas Elise Mertens knocked out Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2.
“I am undoubtedly actually proud of how I performed that match,” Keys mentioned.
“I really feel like she [Joint] got here out enjoying rather well, and it took a little bit time to get used to her ball, however as soon as I figured some issues out, I used to be actually proud of how I stored the momentum going.”
No.9 seed Grigor Dimitrov swept previous Aussie Rinky Hijikata in straight units as Australia’s hopes now lay with Popyrin on day three.
Fellow Australians, No.10 seed Alex de Minaur, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jordan Thompson, Chris O’Connell, wildcard Tristan Schoolkate and Max Purcell will play their second-round matches on Friday (AEST).