World number one Iga Swiatek’s 37-match undefeated streak came to a shuddering end in the July sunshine in London on Saturday afternoon after she was defeated in straight sets by unseeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in one of the biggest shocks in recent Wimbledon history.
Cornet became the first woman to defeat the Pole in four months, triumphing in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) in a match in which she dominated from start to finish.
Swiatek, 21, had been a hot favorite to claim what would have been her second Grand Slam of the year but met unexpected resistance from the 32-year-old Cornet.
So often composed on the court, Swiatek appeared to lose her cool early as evidenced by her kicking her own racket in a rare public showing of frustration – but even as the Pole began to find the type of shots for which fans have become accustomed throughout her recent run, Cornet showed an uncanny ability to soak up Swiatek’s power game and return it with interest.
Perhaps it was Swiatek’s relative…