Laura Siegemund created one of the biggest upsets at this year’s Wimbledon as the German veteran reached her first-ever fourth round at the tournament by defeating world No.8 Madison Keys 6-3 6-3. The 37-year-old celebrated her memorable victory with a huge smile and an emotional racquet toss on the grass of the All England Club.
Keys came into the match as the reigning Australian Open champion and one of the top contenders for the Wimbledon title this year. However she could not keep her game steady against Siegemund’s relentless play. Keys committed a costly 31 unforced errors compared to Siegemund’s disciplined 11 giving the German the biggest win of her career at SW19 so far.
With this result Siegemund who is ranked No.104 in the world has added her name to the growing list of unseeded players making deep runs this year. So far four of the top five seeds and six of the top 10 seeds have already been knocked out in an unpredictable edition of the Grand Slam.
Keys had previously fought hard through her early rounds battling past Elena-Gabriela Ruse in three sets and then defeating Olga Danilovic in a more confident display. A win would have set up a fourth-round clash against Argentina’s Solana Sierra who entered the main draw as a Lucky Loser. Instead Siegemund’s stunning performance ensures that at least one unseeded player will reach the quarter-finals from the top half of the women’s draw.
Elsewhere in the women’s singles 13th seed Amanda Anisimova survived a tough challenge from world No.110 Dalma Galfi edging her out 6-3 5-7 6-3 after a tense three-setter.
In the men’s draw the fifth seed Taylor Fritz was forced to dig deep in a four-set battle against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina eventually coming through 6-4 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1. Hungarian player Marton Fucsovics won a thrilling five-setter against French veteran Gael Monfils 6-4 1-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4. Meanwhile 14th seed Andrey Rublev moved ahead smoothly beating Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-2 6-3.
British players also made the home crowd cheer early in the day on Court No.1. Sonay Kartal claimed an impressive 6-4 6-2 win over France’s Diane Parry while former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie won in straight sets against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3.
As the action continues more surprises could unfold as players struggle to adjust from the clay court season to the grass courts at Wimbledon. Fans can look forward to some big names on Saturday with former world No.1s Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic both in action. Swiatek faces Danielle Collins while Djokovic takes on Miomir Kecmanovic. Top seed Jannik Sinner opens Centre Court against Pedro Martinez while defending women’s champion Barbora Krejcikova will clash with 10th seed Emma Navarro on Court No.1 in a match that promises fireworks.
