Muguruza out after stunning comeback by Pironkova

Tsve tan a Pi ronk ova stunned Garbine Muguruza to reach the third round of the US Open – her first tournament for more than three years.

The Bulgarian, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, retired after the Championships in 2017 and gave birth to her first child, son Alexander, but decided to give the tour another shot earlier this year.

The suspension of pro - fess ion al sport delayed her comeback but she has certainly made up for lost time. Having beaten Liudmila Samsonova in the first round, Pironkova showed her prowess on fast courts has not diminished by knocking out tenth seed Muguruza 7-5, 6-3.

The 32-year-old said: “It means a lot to me, esp e - cially now. But at the same time, I always knew I had it in me because it’s not the first time I win (against) a top player. I was on the tour for almost 15 years, and I had many occasions where I played against the best of the best players. I also scored quite a few wins over them.

“I guess I was mentally prepared. It’ s not something super new. At the same time, I was feeling well, I was moving well, I was hitting the ball well. Why not win?”

Muguruza made a late decision to come to New York and knew her lack of preparation could cost her.

That did not stop her showing her frustration with a spectacular smash of her racket after losing the first set, snapping the head clean off.

“It was a tough moment,” she said .“I guess I’ m stronger now. I just wanted to come here, test a little bit myself, see where I am tennis (wise), physically, and add as many matches as I can to, I guess, this strange year.”

Australian Open champion Sofia Ken in continued her winning streak at grand slams with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over 17- yearold Canadian Leyl ah Fernandez.

There was an all-teenage battle on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where 19-year-old Amanda Anisimova defeated 16-year-old Katrina Scott 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.