World number 47 Alison Van Uytvanck has stunned defending champion Garbine Muguruza 5-7 6-2 6-1 to make the third round of Wimbledon for the first time.
The Belgian played a very high level from the start of the match as her slice and dice game was causing the 3rd seed all sorts of problems. In addition to her slices, the serve of Van Uytvanck was causing the Spaniard a host of problems as there was great variety and pace, which disrupted Muguruza. These elements helped the world number 47 have a 4-2 lead as the Spaniard continued to look up at her support box for help and guidance.
The defending champion fought back as some big serves and some good net play helped the erratic Spaniard to a good run of games. The two time grand slam champion eventually served out the set 7-5 in 48 minutes as she held the momentum in a tight affair.
However what the Court two crowd would see in the next two sets would be total domination from the Belgian as the change of direction in shotmaking caused Muguruza a lot of problems. A frustrated Spaniard couldn’t put her game together as the Belgian broke three times in the second set to level the match at one set all.
The world number 47 remained unfazed in the final set as Muguruza was losing the long rallies as well as the long games that came with it. The Spaniard’s time as Wimbledon champion was coming to a close as the Belgian started a new chapter in her career. The court two crowd will forever remember the name, Alison Van Uytvanck as she served her fourth ace of the match to complete the best win of her career.
“I’m playing well the last couple of days, so that’s what I took with me on the court. In set 2 and 3 I was just there mentally. I was in the zone and just hitting every ball, and it was going my way.” The Belgian said after the match.
Becoming the fist defending champion to not go beyond the second round at Wimbledon since 1994, a disappointed Muguruza admitted that she was far from her best. Although she refused to use that as an excuse.
“I think she played big today. She took a lot of risk, and it worked for her.” Said Muguruza.
“I also think that my level today was not where I wanted it to be. That’s also why she could develop that kind of level.
“It is a little bit sad because I wanted to really go out there. But I think she played great. “
The result means that only Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova remain out of the top eight seeds in Wimbledon as the seeded exodus continues. Who next?
