No. 2 Osaka shocked by Putintseva in 1st spherical

WIMBLEDON, England — After profitable two straight Grand Slam titles, Naomi Osaka has now failed to succeed in the second week on the final two majors.

Osaka, who was ranked No. 1 on this planet till final week, misplaced to Yulia Putintseva 7-6 (Four), 6-2 on Monday within the first spherical at Wimbledon.

The second-seeded Osaka gained the U.S. Open final 12 months and the Australian Open this 12 months, however she misplaced within the third spherical on the French Open and now the primary spherical on the All England Membership.

“I simply do not suppose I performed that nicely,” stated Osaka, who additionally misplaced to Putintseva two weeks in the past in Birmingham. “However I wasn’t shocked as a result of I’ve performed her, like, twice already.”

Osaka had 38 unforced errors on Centre Courtroom, whereas Putintseva had solely seven.

Osaka later reduce quick her information convention, leaving earlier than any questions had been requested in Japanese.

“Can I go away?” she requested the moderator after a number of quick solutions. “I really feel like I am about to cry.”

Simona Halep, a former No. 1 on the ladies’s tour who’s seeded seventh at Wimbledon, superior regardless of some ache in her left knee and foot. The Romanian, who referred to as for a coach after profitable the primary set, trailed 5-2 within the second set earlier than rallying to beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-Four, 7-5.

Third-seeded Karolina Pliskova additionally superior, beating Lin Zhu 6-2, 7-6 (Four).

Later Monday, 39-year-old Venus Williams was taking part in 15-year-old Coco Gauff.

Williams is the oldest participant within the girls’s subject. Not solely is Gauff the youngest, however the American can be the youngest participant within the skilled period to succeed in the principle draw on the All England Membership by going by means of qualifying rounds.

Williams had gained 4 of her seven Grand Slam titles by the point Gauff was born.