Karolina Pliskova simply can’t make the third round of Wimbledon! Making her sixth appearance at the All England Club, the Czech has once again failed to make it past the second round, losing to almost forgotten Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova, who had once been a world No.31, but in March this year she was ranked as low as No.453, only to climb back to No.87 where she stands now, thanks to four ITF titles, including two in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Putting on a grasscourt masterclass, Rybarikova recovered from a set and a break down to stir up the ladies’ draw by stunning the third-seeded Pliskova 3-6 7-5 6-2. The 28-year-old Rybarikova, who is still building her comeback from a seven-month absence due to surgeries on her left wrist and right knee, is now 15-1 on grass this season. Rybarikova not only took out the third-ranked WTA player who arrived to Wimbledon with the Eastbourne title under her belt, but she also prevented the Czech from potentially becoming the world No.1.
Next up for Rybarikova is Ukraine’s world No.35 Lesia Tsurenko, with whom she practiced ahead of Wimbledon.
In other news, Alison Riske eliminated seed No.12 Kristina Mladenovic 2-6 6-4 6-4, while ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska fought off two match points before winning the second set in a tiebreak and eventually dispatching Christina McHale 5-7 7-6(7) 6-3. The 2015 Wimbledon runner-up and 14th seed Garbine Muguruza defeated Yanina Wickmayer 6-2 6-4 and seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the third round with a 6-0 7-5 win over compatriot Ekaterina Makarova.
I’ve never seen anything like it in tennis. Just terrible. Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes down in serious pain. I’m guessing it’s a torn ACL. pic.twitter.com/lyb6J3l0lm
— WoSo Comps (@WoSoComps) July 6, 2017
Thursday also saw a horrible incident when Bethanie Mattek Sands collapsed and very badly injured her knee, screaming and begging for people to come and help her. It was very painful and distressing to watch. The American retired from her second-round match against Sorana Cirstea in the third set.
Funnily enough Karolina can still become No. 1 depending on Simona and Angie’s results haha. I was rooting for her the most but I’d imagine she wouldn’t feel comfortable becoming the new No. 1 this way so I guess I’ll root for Simona or Angie now.
Wow that sounds terrible for Bethanie 🙁 that also means no career grand slam for Team Bucie yet, aw.
Kaja saved up enough points for her to become a new number 1. Virtually points wise, she is number 1 now. I think her biggest competitor in this race would be Simona. Angie plays well now but her points last year is too much for her to defend her World No.1 status.
Magdalena Rybarikova is on the rise again. She’s my dark horse in Wimbledon!
C, Emman Damian, yes, Pliskova still has a shot at becoming No.1. Here’s the scenario from the WTA website:
“Halep must reach at least the semifinal to have a chance to seize No.1: if she accomplishes that, Kerber needs to make the final for the second year running to retain her ranking. (If neither Halep reaches the semifinal nor Kerber the final, the top spot will fall into Pliskova’s hands.)”