U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic took just two games to see off John Isner after returning to finish their third-round match poised at 10-10 in the final set. She hasn’t been a serious contender in five years.
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Kerber fought back in the second set but wobbled in the third, dropping her serve twice as Muguruza claimed an impressive scalp.
But that’s the way of sports. I never thought this would happen to me again here.
Kvitova hit only four winners but this was enough compared to Jankovic’s single victor, and it was the Czech’s ability to hold her games with a 66 percent first serve without facing any major issues that caused her to take the first set 6-3. “My heart is still pumping”, said the 28th seed whose reign as world number one in 2008 feels like a lifetime ago.
Petra Kvitova’s body language wore a despondent look throughout the deciding set.
Radwanska went into the grass court season short of wins and belief following a testing first half of the year. That was in stark contrast to Jankovic, who’d battled back to 4-4. I was just happy to be playing and competing on grass. “I can’t really explain how”.
Kvitova disappeared off court in a bid to regroup, leaving Jankovic waiting for almost 10 minutes before returning. “I was a little bit lucky, as well”. But if Im hitting my spots, its quite effective, Jankovic said. “I was trying to think positively”. She was flying on the court with confidence and attitude.
The Czech appeared certain to progress to the fourth round when she punished Jankovic’s faltering serve and broke to love in the third game of the second set. “I was really struggling with each shot I played”.
When the topic of her age was raised at Saturday’s news conference, she replied: “I’m not old”. “She was playing really well and I wasn’t playing as smart as I wanted. That’s it”.
Jankovic lost her cool with the umpire towards the end of the match, telling him: “We’re humans here”.
Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina and Caroline Wozniacki were all undistinguished world number ones, each failing to win a grand slam either before, during or after their reigns at the top. So I’m very happy. “Here I am! Unbelievable”.
Murray recovered to win 6-2, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 after having his own physio work on his back. His only Grand Slam loss to an Australian came in his first major – against Pat Rafter at the 1999 French Open.
“And I don’t know for how much longer I can do this, but right now I don’t have an issue with injuries”. Self-deprecating giggle here.
“The last couple of years I’ve not done well here”.
“Not to be in the second week of [my] favorite tournament…is really sad”, Kvitova said.
Thirty-three-year-old Serena Williams, at the opposite side of the draw – and just barely managing to avert elimination herself on Friday against gutsy British heroine Heather Watson – would doubtless agree. “It does not come natural”, Jankovic told media members.
Jankovic said: “I can’t stop smiling”.
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Wozniacki was watched by skiing champion Lindsey Vonn – known in some quarters as the former partner of Tiger Woods – as she posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory against Italian Camila Giorgi on Court One, and faces Garbine Muguruza of Spain next. I look pretty good, so why not?Jankovic also delighted in discussing her suddenly, and surprisingly, effective serve.Maybe my serve is not as fast as some of those big girls.
