Wimbledon 2023: Taylor Fritz crashes out in Round 2, Elena Rybakina survives tough challenge from Cornet

By India Today Sports Desk: Top seeded American star Taylor Fritz crashed out of the Wimbledon 2023 after a shock defeat against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer in the Second Round of the competition on Thursday, 6 July. Fritz, 9th seed in the tournament had come off a 5-set win against Germany’s Yannich Hanfamann on Monday, 3 July. Despite winning the first two sets with relative ease (6-3, 6-2), Fritz was found wanting against the spirited Ymer who looked like a man on a mission on Court 18 on Thursday.

Ymer took the final three sets of the match 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and finished Fritz with a thundering ace. Ymer’s game was based on fast first serves that paid dividends on the day. Fritz, who has not made it past the third round in the two recent Grand Slams (Australian and French Open) once again was found wanting on the big stage.

On the other hand, defending champion Elena Rybakina made it to the Third Round of the tournament after a jittery win against France’s Alize Cornet. Cornet, who was giving Rybakina a tough fight needed a medical timeout after slipping late in Thursday’s contest.

On paper the 6-2 7-6(2) win looked comfortable enough but it was far from straightforward as Rybakina’s power game malfunctioned badly after she had looked on course for a quick finish.

The Moscow-born Kazakh slammed winners all over Centre Court in a one-sided opening set and appeared to be racing towards victory against her 33-year-old opponent.

But Rybakina’s game went from red hot to decidedly lukewarm as the wily Cornet, playing in her 66th successive Grand Slam tournament, used her experience to dig in.

As the errors flowed off Rybakina’s racket she was locked in a tense game at 5-5 in which Cornet had five break points before slipping awkwardly on the baseline and needing lengthy treatment before eventually carrying on.

Rybakina then held serve on her 10th game point but was still looking edgy as she was dragged into a tiebreak.

Eventually, the third seed got the job done but it was far from convincing in the end. She will next face wildcard Katie Boulter, Britain’s last remaining player in the women’s draw.