Wimbledon champion Vondrousova stunned at Australian Open

Melbourne, Jan 15 : Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova crashed out of the Australian Open on Monday after a straight sets defeat to qualifier Dayana Yastremska in the first round.

The world No.

7 was completely outplayed by an aggressive Yastremska of Ukraine, who ran out with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory in 76 minutes, reports Xinhua.

Vondrousova had withdrawn from the Adelaide International last week due to a right hip injury, but did not show any visible signs of distress.

The Czech had started her season with a three-set loss to Chinas Zheng Qinwen at the mixed teams United Cup.

It was the latest disappointment for the 24-year-old left-hander at Melbourne Park, where she has never progressed past the fourth round.

She had been thrust among the favorites after a memorable 2023 highlighted by becoming the first unseeded player to win the womens title at Wimbledon.

But Vondrousova was blown off the court in the first set by a confident Yastremska, who had 13 winners and won 81% on first serve.

Yastremska, who hit a career-high ranking of 21 in 2020, continued her charge even though she was unable to convert a match point in the seventh game.

But she held her nerve to power through to a second-round clash against Frances Varvara Gracheva.

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