Women’s Day 6: Swiatek ousted; Badosa, Halep advance

London, Jul 2 (EFE).- World No. 1 and Wimbledon top seed Iga Swiatek saw her string of consecutive match wins halted at 37 Saturday by France’s Alize Cornet, who prevailed 6-4, 6-2 to claim a berth in the last 16.

The 37th-ranked Cornet got the better of the two-time French Open champion eight years after defeating then-world No. 1 Serena Williams in the third round of Wimbledon.

“Let’s just say that I didn’t feel like I’m in the best shape, so I’m kind of aware that this could happen,” the 21-year-old Pole said after the loss.

“I have no words right now, It reminds me of the time I beat Serena on the same court, eight years ago exactly. This court is a lucky charm for me,” Cornet, 32, said.

Next up for the Frenchwoman will be Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

On Centre Court, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic came into Saturday’s contest with fourth-seed Paula Badosa having won her last seven matches, but the Spaniard eked out a 7-5, 7-6(4) triumph.

“I think I played almost a perfect match. I was expecting Petra playing an amazing match as well. I think it was a big challenge to play against her on grass, but I’m really happy with the win today,” the 24-year-old world No. 4 said.

Kvitova, 32, has not made it past the third round of a Grand Slam tournament since the 2020 Australian Open.

Badosa’s opponent in the fourth round will be Simona Halep, another two-time Wimbledon champion, who dispatched Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday.

The Romanian lifted the trophy here in 2019, but was denied the chance to defend the title when the pandemic forced the cancelation of Wimbledon in 2020.

Last year, an injury prevented the 30-year-old Halep from competing in the event.

French Open finalist Coco Gauff fell 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1 to fellow American Amanda Anisimova, making her first appearance in the third round at Wimbledon.

Another American in action on Saturday, Jessica Pegula went down 6-2, 7-6 (3) to Croatia’s Petra Martic, who is ranked 80th in the world. EFE

/dr