Former champion Elena Rybakina crashes out of Wimbledon

LONDON – Barbora Krejcikova’s reign as Wimbledon champion came to a tearful end on July 5 as the Czech slumped to a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat against American 10th seed Emma Navarro.

Krejcikova appeared to be struggling with injury in the closing stages and wept on Court One as Navarro took advantage to cause the latest upset in the women’s tournament following the exits of five of the top six seeds.

The 29-year-old had to fight back from a set down to beat rising star Alexandra Eala in the first round before another tense three-set win over Caroline Dolehide in the second round.

There would be no dramatic escape for Krejcikova this time, with the 17th seed’s fitness problems finally catching up with her.

The world No. 16 joins a long list of high seeds to crash out of the women’s tournament, including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen and Madison Keys.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is the last of the top six seeds still standing at the All England Club.

Eighth seed Iga Swiatek is also in the fray, after delivering a clinical display in the 6-2, 6-3 win over Danielle Collins on July 5.

Former champion Elena Rybakina also joined the exodus after losing to Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in the third round.

Kazakh Rybakina, the 11th seed, won her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 and had reached the semi-finals in 2024.

But the 26-year-old’s hopes of another strong run were ended by 23rd-seeded Tauson.

“Before this grass season started, I had never won a match on grass. I’m super happy and proud of the way I played today,” said Tauson.

“Me and my coach, who’s also my boyfriend... We worked so hard the whole year and the end of 2024. Every one of my friends and people who came to support have been amazing. I’ve worked so hard towards this. I’m super pleased.”

Rybakina’s defeat adds to a frustrating season for the former world No. 3, who has not advanced beyond the fourth round at any of the three Grand Slams in 2025.

Tauson is through to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time, and the first time since the 2024 French Open.

The 22-year-old, a former junior world No. 1 whose promising career has been hampered by injuries, had lost in the first round on her three previous main draw appearances at Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, seventh seed Mirra Andreeva outclassed American Hailey Baptiste 6-1, 6-3 under the Court One roof to equal her best Wimbledon run by reaching the last 16.

In a first week littered with fallen seeds, 18-year-old Andreeva has made reaching the business end of the tournament look effortless and has yet to drop a set.

“Honestly, today I was so focused today,” she said. “I knew it would be tough because she creates a lot of different stuff on the court and has a rocket of a forehand. With every match I play, I feel my level is rising.”

In the men’s draw, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner eased through his third-round clash against Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. The Italian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is seeking his first Wimbledon title.

On July 4, his main rival Carlos Alcaraz made hard work of beating Jan-Lennard Struff to reach the last 16. The Spanish second seed eventually overcame German world No. 125 Struff 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to stay on track for a third straight Wimbledon crown.

But he will have to cut out his errors if he is to become just the fifth man in the Open era after Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to achieve that feat.

Alcaraz, watched by former England football captain Gary Lineker and former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, made 28 unforced errors in an inconsistent display on Centre Court.

But he produced enough moments of magic to eventually subdue Struff and book a meeting with Russia’s Andrey Rublev on July 6.

Off the court, scorching temperatures have led to a spike in hat sales, while Wimbledon’s famous towels are top on the players’ shopping lists.

Dan Ashmore, head of retail, merchandise and licensing, said baseball caps were flying off the shelves, with more than 45,000 sold so far, compared with 75,000 over the whole two weeks in 2024.

Baseball caps are priced at £35 (S$61), with Panama hats (£120) and raffia hats (£70) also selling well. Ashmore said: “Days one and two this year were a scorcher. We’re about 25 per cent further ahead on baseball cap volume than we were at this time in 2024.”
AFP, REUTERS