07 July,2017 08:26 AM IST | London | AFP
World No. 108 Rybarikova enters Rd 3 of Wimbledon by beating favourite Karolina Pliskova
Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova celebrates her stunning victory over Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on Day Four of the Wimbledon Championships in London yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Wimbledon title favourite Karolina Pliskova crashed to a shock second round defeat against World No 108 Magdalena Rybarikova yesterday. Rybarikova battled back from a set down to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Centre Court, earning the Slovakian a last 32 clash with Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko.
Pliskova reached the US Open last year and the French Open semi-finals last month, but the Czech World No 3 has a dismal record at Wimbledon and for the sixth successive year she failed to get past the second round. With Serena Williams sidelined while she prepares to give birth and World No 1 Angelique Kerber in poor form this year, Pliskova had been installed as the bookmakers' top contender to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.
Karolina Pliskova
Bigger force
She became a firmer favourite on Wednesday when two-time champion Petra Kvitova was knocked out. Instead, the 25-year-old will leave the All England Club empty-handed after squandering her title bid, although she could still be World No 1 by the end of the tournament depending on the results of Kerber and Simona Halep. It is only the second time Rybarikova has reached the last 32 at Wimbledon in 10 main draw appearances.
'I'm speechless'
"I didn't think I'm going to lose this match, but I was not that confident. I'm speechless right now and I'm so happy," said Rybarikova who has a 15-1 record on grass this season. "It's an amazing feeling. It's special. I had two surgeries and I haven't played for seven months and right now I'm in the third round at Wimbledon."
