WIMBLEDON saw yet another injury blow with Serena Williams making a shock exit on the second day of the tournament. An injury sustained during her battle with Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich proved too much for the eighth ranked champion, who was visibly distressed following the unfortunate incident. Amidst her match against Sasnovich, 39-year-old Williams had to be taken off for treatment after a fall on centre court caused an injury to her leg. Scores were tied 3-3 as the dramatic scenes unfolded. An emotional Williams dropped down onto the court before calling time on the match which lasted a total of 34 minutes.

Williams’ unexpected end to her Wimbledon journey has dashed hopes for an eighth singles title on the grass, and the chance to equal Margaret Court’s grand slam singles record.

Belarusian Sasnovich was sympathetic to her fallen opponent and sent well wishes to Williams.

“It was such a nice atmosphere here, my first time on centre court. Thank you everyone.” She said in her post-match interview. “But I am so sad for Serena. She’s a great champion, but this happens sometimes in tennis. I wish all the best for her, and a good recovery.”

“Of course, I wanted to play the full match, but it’s tennis. It happens. It’s injury. Of course, I was ready to play 100 per cent today. I was ready mentally. I was ready strategically. I was ready physically. I was thinking before the match, just go and enjoy the tennis, enjoy the atmosphere. Because I love England. I love the public. They really understand tennis.”

Meanwhile, there were plenty of wins among seeded players. Angelique Kerber was on top of her game as she knocked out Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic in straight sets 6-4 6-3. The German superstar reigned supreme with a powerful performance, sending the Wimbledon debutant Stojanovic out of the tournament. Elise Mertens progressed to the next round as she defeated Britain’s Hannah Dart, also in straight sets 6-4 6-3. However, Kiki Bertens and Alison Riske were two seeded players losing their matches against Marta Kostyuk and Tereza Martincova respectively.

Australia’s Ash Barty and Sam Stosur were also in action. Barty overcame a scare in the second set where she was slowed down by Spanish returnee Carla Suarez Navarro, but took out the win 6-1 6-7(1) 6-1. But it was not the fairytale win Suarez Navarro was hoping for after announcing her retirement from tennis recently. Stosur on the other hand failed to find success as she was knocked out of the competition by 28-year-old Shelby Rogers. The former number one ranked doubles player fell short of the win, going down to the American talent 6-1 5-7 6-3.

WIMBLEDON ROUND OF 128 RESULTS

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) defeated (6) Serena Williams (USA) 3-3
(1) Ash Barty (AUS) defeated Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-1 6-7 6-1
(25) Angelique Kerber (GER) defeated Nina Stojanovic (SRB) 6-4 6-3
(20) Coco Gauff (USA) defeated Francesca Jones (GBR) 7-5 6-4
Venus Williams (USA) defeated Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROU) 5-7 6-4 3-6
Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) defeated Clara Tauson (DEN) 3-6 2-6
(13) Elise Mertens (BEL) defeated Hannah Dart (GBR) 6-1 6-3
Marta Kostyuk (UKR) defeated (17) Kiki Bertens (NED) 3-6 4-6
Tereza Martincova (CZE) defeated (28) Alison Riske (USA) 6-2 4-6 6-1
(26)Petra Martic (CRO) defeated Varvara Gracheva (RUS) 7-6 4-6 3-6
(21) Ons Jabeur (TUN) defeated Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-2 6-1
Anna Blinkova (RUS) defeated Timea Babos (HUN) 6-2 6-2
(22) Jessica Pegula (USA) defeated Caroline Garcia (FRA) 6-3 6-1
Donna Vekic (CRO) defeated Anastasia Potapova (RUS) 6-1 6-4
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) defeated Marie Bouzkova (CZE) 5-7 4-6
Nadia Podoroska (ARG) defeated Ann Li (USA) 4-6 6-7
Lin Zhu (CHI) defeated Mona Barthel (GER) 6-7 6-3 6-3
Elena Vesnina (RUS) defeated Martina Trevisan (ITA) 7-5 6-1
(8)Karolina Pliskova (CZE) defeated Tamara Zidansek (SLO) 7-5 6-4
Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) defeated Kaia Kanepi (EST) 6-4 6-2
(15) Maria Sakkari (GRE) defeated Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-1 6-1
Claire Liu (USA) defeated Misaki Doi (JAP) 6-2 3-6 7-9
Shelby Rogers (USA) defeated Sam Stosur (AUS) 6-1 5-7 6-3
Madison Brengle (USA) defeated Christina McHale (USA) 3-6 7-5 10-8
Andrea Petkovic (GER) defeated Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 6-4 6-3

Picture credit: Jimmie48/WTA