REIGNING Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova is out of the US Open after the Czech went down to Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the second round overnight. Coming off a successful run at the major grasscourt event, Krejcikova has struggled since making a quarter final at Flushing Meadows three years ago, with just two wins in the past three tournaments.

The world number eight was no match for the 122nd ranked Romanian, coming in as a qualifier and walking away with a 6-4 7-5 Round of 64 victory. In a match that lasted one hour and 45 minutes, it was the underdog who emerged victorious, breaking four times to two throughout the two-set match and providing far more efficient with her shots.

Ruse hit one more winner than Krejcikova (28-27) among two more aces (8-6), but critically only hit 15 unforced errors for the match compared to the Czech’s 24. On serve, the Romanian was also far more efficient, winning 78 per cent of her first serve points, and 50 per cent of her second, compared to the eighth seed’s 62 and 38 per cent respectively.

Though not approaching the net once, Ruse was able to dictate play from the back of the court, and put pressure on Krejcikova to make winning shots. While the Czech was successful upon approach – nine out of 10 points won – she was not able to get in enough to worry the Romanian.

Even when serving to stay in the match, Krejcikova had a horror final game, broken to love with two unforced errors and two forced errors to essentially hand Ruse the match. It was a shattering result for the Wimbledon champion, having got a break up after winning three consecutive games in the second set to lead 5-3, only to lose the last four games.

“I have no words,” Ruse said post-match. “I just cannot believe it. It was such a good match for me. Barbora is such a good player, she wins so many matches. It’s just a dream for me.

“I really don’t know how I did it. I just to make every ball, to do my game and I think my father is the lucky charm. It’s his first time in the US! I’m super happy to be with him here, it’s been some very emotional days for me here.”

Krejcikova said while there were improvements on her round one win over Marina Bassols Ribera 7-6 6-2, it “just wasn’t enough” to get the victory.

“I mean, winning Wimbledon is amazing. It’s a great, great, great result, I’m very proud about it and how I was able to handle everything there,” Krejcikova said. “I think I was playing quite well, definitely better than in the first match. I think my game was improving, but it just wasn’t enough.”

Ruse will now advance to take on former world number three Paula Badosa after the Spaniard proved too good for local hope Taylor Townsend 6-3 7-5.

AROUND THE COURTS

The top-end American talents advanced through to the next stage easily with third seed Coco Gauff and 14th seed Madison Keys winning with identical scorelines of 6-4 6-0 over German Tatjana Maria and Aussie teenager Maya Joint respectively on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka and her compatriot Victoria Azarenka also advanced, with Chinese seventh seed fighting back from a shock first set loss to Erika Andreeva to only drop three games in the last two sets, 6-7 6-1 6-2.

Elina Svitolina smashed countrywoman Anhelina Kalinina 6-1 6-2 in the all-Ukrainian battle, while 19th seed Marta Kostyuk joined her in the Round of 16. Other seeds to advance were Elise Mertens, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Donna Vekic and Emma Navarro, while American Peyton Stearns upset 12th seed Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-1 7-6, and Jule Niemeier and Yafan Wang also moved through to the Round of 32.