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'What is going on': Disbelief as 'crazy' drama strikes Wimbledon

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Belinda Bencic, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu, pictured here in action at Wimbledon.
Belinda Bencic, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu all crashed out of Wimbledon. Image: Getty

There was absolute chaos in the women's draw at Wimbledon on Wednesday when top seeds Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andreescu and Belinda Bencic all crashed out.

It was another dark day for fourth seed Sofia Kenin, whose horrible 2021 continued as she crashed out of the second round.

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The American, who won the Australian Open in 2020, was beaten 6-2 6-4 by compatriot Madison Brengle and later ruled herself out of the Tokyo Olympics.

"I couldn't take anyone with me, and I definitely wanted to have someone. I love the Olympics. It was a tough one (decision)," Kenin said.

Kenin has endured a tumultuous time since winning her first major, losing in the second round at this year's Australian Open and the fourth round at the French Open.

Fifth seed Bianca Andreescu - a fellow grand slam champion - didn't even make it to the second round after a 6-2 6-1 walloping by French nemesis Alize Cornet.

She burst out laughing when a spectacular mis-hit lob from Cornet clipped the corner of the baseline to condemn her to yet another first-round exit at Wimbledon.

"At one point she just ... switched gears and she was on another level," said Andreescu.

"She played really well. She was taking control from the start."

Cornet, who next plays Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic, will hope her win gives her the springboard to get beyond the fourth round - a feat she has managed only once in 13 previous appearances.

And ninth seed Belinda Bencic joined the carnage when she was thumped 6-3 6-3 by Kaja Juvan.

Tennis fans couldn't believe the crazy drama after three top seeds crashed out within hours of each other.

Venus Williams loses in second round at Wimbledon

A day after her sister Serena made a heart-breaking exit due to a first round injury, Venus Williams was knocked out of the singles competition.

Aged 41 and playing in her 90th grand slam tournament, Venus pushed Tunisian 21st seed Ons Jabeur hard in the opening set but eventually succumbed to a 7-5 6-0 defeat.

It is the first time at least one of the American sisters has failed to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Serena made her debut at the tournament in 1998.

Venus Williams and Ons Jabeur, pictured here shaking hands after their match at Wimbledon.
Venus Williams and Ons Jabeur shake hands after their match at Wimbledon. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Asked whether she wants to return in 2022, she said: "Of course. Who wouldn't want to be at Wimbledon? Lots of people want to be here.

"Yeah, when it's my last, I'll let you know. I'll give you a little whisper in your ear."

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena was forced to quit against Aliaksandra Sasnovich after slipping and injuring her leg, ending another attempt to equal Australian Margaret Court's 24 grand slam titles.

Avoiding the chaos was second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who showed exceptional grit to rally from a set down to beat British wildcard Katie Boulter and reach the third round of Wimbledon for the first time.

Sabalenka's best result at the grass-court grand slam was a second-round showing on debut in 2017 as a qualifier, but she bettered that with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory in a match lasting over two hours.

World No.5 Elina Svitolina also fought her way into the second round with a 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory over unseeded Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck.

with AAP

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