Dhe super series has broken, the number one in Wimbledon was eliminated surprisingly early: After 37 wins in a row, six titles and a dominance that is unprecedented in this millennium, Iga Swiatek has been deciphered – by an experienced Frenchwoman who has experience with it, the favorite in space eject the England club from the tournament.
Swiatek lost in the third round to Alize Cornet 4-6, 2-6, the same fate befell Serena Williams eight years ago. The eighth top 10 player was knocked out of a tournament full of surprises, including Germany’s Jule Niemeier and Tatjana Maria, in the first week.
“I knew I could beat Iga”
“I live and train for these matches,” said Cornet in the winner’s interview on Center Court, where she had also defeated Williams at the time: “I knew I could beat Iga. If I have a chance against them, it’s on grass. Here she plays less confidently. I guess I like the surprises.”
After her French Open victory, Swiatek decided not to warm up on grass and canceled the tournament in Berlin. That took revenge in Wimbledon. In the previous round against the Dutch outsider Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove, she had to fight unusually hard to get through and later admitted that she was a little strange about the fast green.
Alize Cornet celebrates winning the first set.
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Image: dpa
“I don’t want to lie, grass is a tricky surface for me,” admitted the Pole: “I think everyone can see that I don’t play as efficiently as on other surfaces.”
On the other hand, Cornet, who also beat Angelique Kerber in Bad Homburg as a Wimbledon preparation, feels very comfortable. The 32-year-old has the experience of 62 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, equaling the record held by Japan’s Ai Sugiyama at this edition of the championships in south-west London.
“I am like a good wine – and good wine always ages well in France,” said Cornet and found words of comfort for Swiatek, who is eleven years younger and who has had to deal with a defeat for the first time since February. “I’m a big fan of hers. She is so talented, an incredible player and a lovely ambassador for women’s tennis,” said Cornet.
