Two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza has been knocked out of the US Open in straight sets by Tsvetana Pironkova, who was playing in her first Grand Slam event since 2017.
The Spanish 10th seed, who reached this year's Australian Open final, lost 7-5 6-3 to Bulgarian Pironkova, who advanced to the third round on Thursday (NZ time).
After three years away from the WTA Tour following the birth of her son Alexander, the unranked Bulgarian had Muguruza smashing her racket and mumbling in frustration, as the Spaniard's US Open jinx continued to haunt her.
"Coming from three years of absence on the tour, you always have your doubts," says Pironkova. "Right now my results actually make me really happy because it shows that I did the right things preparing for this comeback.
"At this point for me the toughest part is the physical condition. I haven't had a chance to play another tournament before this one. Having a few consecutive matches is really a big challenge for me.
The tournament has been a stumbling block for the French Open and Wimbledon champion, who this year nearly added to her collection of major trophies when she reached the final in Australia.
In stark contrast to her success at the other slams, Muguruza has struggled to make an impact on the New York hardcourts.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams has battled her way through to a 6-2 6-4 victory over Russia's Margarita Gasparyan in the second round, as she continued her bid for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title.
A dominant Williams sailed through the first set, closing out the first game with one of seven aces on the match, and then breaking her unseeded opponent's serve on the second game to take an early 2-0 lead.
Momentum shifted during the second set as Gasparyan cleaned up her act and the six-time champion committed four double faults.
Williams clawed her way back, managing to close out a marathon 16-point game to hold her serve, psyching herself up inside the empty stadium.
Reuters
