More Wimbledon woes for Nishikori
EARLIEST SLAM EXIT SINCE 2015 US OPEN
Slow out the blocks, new mom Azarenka ups her game to book fourth round spot.
Kei Nishikori suffered fresh Wimbledon misery as the Japanese star crashed out yesterday, while Victoria Azarenka stepped up her bid to become the first mother to win the All England Club title for 37 years.
Former US Open finalist Nishikori had hoped to finally advance past the fourth round at Wimbledon after years of underachievement.
But the world No 9 didn’t even reach the last 16 as he was over-powered 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3 by Spanish 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
Nishikori’s third round exit means Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam he has failed to make the quarterfinals.
It was the 27-year-old’s earliest departure from a major since his first round defeat against Benoit Paire at the 2015 US Open.
“I think he served well every set. It was a tough time on my return game. I had many chances, but I think he played the important points well,” said Nishikori.
For the first time in 20 years, there were four British men and women through to the last 32.
But, with former England captain David Beckham watching from the Royal Box, Heather Watson was unable to maintain Britain’s unexpectedly strong showing as Azarenka edged past the world No 102 with a gritty 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Competing in her first Grand Slam since taking a year off to have her first child – son Leo – in December, former world No 1 Azarenka was caught out as Watson made a fast start to her attempt to reach the last 16 for the first time.
After a sloppy first set, the twotime Australian Open champion stepped on the gas to keep alive her attempt to emulate Evonne Goolagong, who was the last Wimbledon mum to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish in 1980. – AFP