The string of upsets continued at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with Ashleigh Barty crashing out. The world #1 and Wimbledon Champion met her end at the hands of Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo. Sorribes almost collapsed in tears after pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the year, at least in tennis.
#48 seed trashes Wimbledon Champion Ashleigh Barty
On a bright sunny day in Tokyo, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo graced Ariake Tennis Park’s Centre Court. Barty, fresh off her incredible Wimbledon victory, looked the favorite to clinch Olympic gold. It would be the perfect way to cement her place on the #1 position, especially with the US Open on the horizon.
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Unfortunately, world #48 Sara Sorribes had plans to ruin her chances. In a scintillating two set affair, Sorribes thrashed the Wimbledon Champion and eased her way past Barty. Winning the first set 6-4 in almost 50 minutes, Sorribes made a statement that she wouldn’t go down easily.
😬 There has been a huge upset in the #Tennis at #Tokyo2020 after world No.1 and #Wimbledon champion @ashbarty was bundled out by world No.48 @sara_sorribes!! https://t.co/X5nbhJpgdK
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) July 25, 2021
The second set might’ve been the most shocking set so far at the Tokyo Olympics. In three quarters of an hour. Sorribes bossed Barty to claim victory, winning the set 6-3. Absolutely no one expected the world #1 to lose in straight sets, least of all to a world #48.
Despite the incredible win, it’s only the first round and Sorribes has a long way to go. On her path to a medal stand tennis stalwarts like Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova and of course, 2017 Wimbledon Champion Garbine Muguruza.
Who is in action today at the Tokyo Olympics 2020?
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Aside from Barty crashing out, the Ariake Tennis Park serves up a bevy of matches featuring some of the world’s best. With Andy Murray crashing out, his opponent Felix Auger-Aliassime becomes a sudden favorite to end up on the podium as he faces Australia’s Max Purcell.
Naomi Osaka graces the centre court, taking on China’s Saisai Zheng. Karolina Pliskova eased past France’s Alize Cornet, but it could mean a potential clash with Garbine Muguruza down the line. The Spaniard takes on Veronika Kudermetova of the Russian Olympic Committee.
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For the men’s singles championship, Kei Nishikori attempts to dazzle his home fans. He will mostly put on a stunning performance against Russia’s Andrey Rublev. Elsewhere, Federer-slayer Hubert Hurkacz takes on Luke Saville of Australia. Finally, we will witness Stefanos Tsitsipas take on Philipp Kohlschreiber in his first round match.