Last year’s runner-up Muguruza crashes out to Cepelova in the second round of Wimbledon

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Wilson Blade 9

Garbine Muguruza

Just as many have predicted, given the history of French Open champions underdelivering at Wimbledon that follows shortly after, Garbine Muguruza‘s campaign at the grasscourt Grand Slam turned out to be very brief, as the Spaniard was sent home by world No.124 Jana Cepelova already in the second round.

From the outset Cepelova was on the front foot, directing play with an array of drop shots, as
Muguruza struggled to gain momentum in the early stages, got her serve broken in her first service game and allowed Cepelova to race to a 3-0 lead.

Muguruza’s miscues, double faults and unforced errors were evident throughout the first set, while Cepelova took full advantage of being the underdog and everything she touched turned to gold, so the Slovak took the first set 6-3.

Needing an instant response, Cepelova delivered another major setback to Muguruza by breaking her again at the start of the second set and continuing to dictate the play, racing to a 4-0 lead. Muguruza had a chance to break at 4-1 down, but failed to convert three break points and the last year’s finalist must have realized her last real chance of a comeback was gone.

Cepelova served for the match and unfazed, kept her composure to deliver the knockout blow to Muguruza and won convincingly 6-3 6-2. For Muguruza, ranked second in the world, this is a huge disappointment after winning the French Open and she has a lot of work to do before the Olympics. Meanwhile, Cepelova surges into the third round with a very impressive performance and could be a darkhorse to go deep into the draw. (photo: Jimmie48)

6 COMMENTS

  1. Mugu seemed to be out of sorts during this match. She seemed to be in a weird daze and just couldn’t bring her “A” game. The person I saw play didn’t even resemble her…just plain odd. Where was her usual confidence and precision shot-making? Honestly, her opponent played smart tennis with few errors and showed no fear whatsoever, so she earned the win. These young, one-time major winners can never compare to the all-time great, Serena Williams. She consistently wins majors, which proves the great champion tennis player she is. That’s why when she loses, folks are baffled. She’s just expected to win all the time because she usually does. Congrats to Jana!

  2. TheRealDeal, no one can doubt that Serena is by far the best, then there are like 50 empty spots, and then comes the second best player. I think it was Laura Robson who said that when they draw Serena, all they can do is go to the church and pray. Although Garbine really beat Serena in the RG final, it wasn’t like Serena beat herself or some similar story.

  3. Serena took 2 years to win her second grandslam after winning us open.So did maria sharapova. It takes time to sink all of this that’s happening right in your face. I can’t think of any player who handled post first slam pressure properly with the exception of victoria azarenka. It’s too early to comment on whether she’s going to be a serena or an Ana. We need to give her some time ( also remember it’s very hard for players who win french open to perform well on grass). I think she’ll be back by USO she has the attitude of a champion and a very good team and as marija said unlike her previous losses where her opponents just hung in strong, garbine did BEAT serena

  4. Yep, same ole same ole, post first Grand Slam win hangover. If Serena can’t win her 22nd, would like to see Madison Keys or even Coco Vandeweghe win it.

  5. Muguruza is a very moody player. The match against Cepelova looked a lot like her match at the Australian open. She came out looking so flat and depressed. I hope she can get this under control.

  6. @sru Serena still got to the second week of all the grand slams after her first win. Aussie 2000 she lost in the 4th. FO she was absent. Wimbledon semifinals. US quarterfinals. And with the exception of the Australian open she lost against some top players. Venus and Lindsey Davenport. Aussie she lost against someone who within the top 20 I believe.

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