Yesterday was a day of huge upsets for the youngsters and a bad day for the veterans, who were their opponents.
(WC-165} Caroline Dolehide (USA) def. [30] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. It was the first meeting for the nineteen year old against the seasoned veteran. While it was not a straight sets victory, it was just as impressive as Dolehide came back from a set deficit to defeat one of the toughest competitors on tour.
[54] Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) def. [11] Johanna Konta (GBR) 7-6(5), 6-4. This was also a first time encounter and it ended badly for the Brit. The eighteen year old was mentally tougher when it mattered and Konta’s struggles continued with yet another early loss.
[63] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) def. [18] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4, 6-3. Perhaps the advantage was that this was their first encounter, perhaps not. Although the Russian had her chances, she could not capitalize and the nineteen year old took advantage of the rust in the Russian’s game to get the straight sets victory.
[44] Naomi Osaka (JPN) def. [32] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-3, 6-2. It was another first encounter that ended badly for the older player. The twenty year old simply outplayed the veteran and after a little hiccough in the first set, Osaka was pristine in the second.
(WC-149) Amanda Anisimova (USA) def. [23] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6-4, 6-1. The sixteen year old has long been talked about and she is putting it together at this tournament. In their first encounter, she handled the power of the Russian quite comfortably and is into her first third round of a WTA Tour event to face another power hitter, Petra Kvitova.
[100] Sachia Vickery (USA) def. [3] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 and claimed the biggest win of her career. This was also a first time encounter. It was not an easy victory and surprisingly, it was the veteran who was affected more by the pressure of expectations. In the deciding set, Vickery never allowed Muguruza a break point opportunity, while the Spaniard was broken twice.
ALL SEEDED PLAYERS IN BOLD.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America: Caroline Dolehide and Sachia Vickery; Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America: Amanda Anisimova)
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