Wimbledon still losing seeds as finalists, including Eala conqueror, crash
Among the top five seeds in the women’s side, only one remains in the hunt.
The finalists from last year? Both gone.
Jasmine Paolini was the latest victim of Wimbledon’s spate of giant-killings as last year’s runnerup suffered a shock second-round exit against Russian world No. 62 Kamilla Rakhimova on Wednesday.
Just 12 months after her run to the All England Club final, Paolini followed a host of highly-ranked seeds out of the grass-court Grand Slam.
The Italian fourth seed, beaten by Barbora Krejcikova in the 2024 Wimbledon title match, slumped to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss in two hours and 18 minutes on Court Three.
“It was a tough one. I’m still thinking about the second set. I could do much better. I had many, many chances, I did some stupid mistakes,” Paolini said.
“I need to stay there mentally much better. My attention was going up and down all the time. I don’t know why.”
Krejcikova didn’t fare any better.
The reigning champion made a tearful Wimbledon exit as the defending champion crashed to a three-set defeat against Emma Navarro, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Krejcikova appeared to be struggling with injury as she wept in the closing stages of the third-round clash on Court One.
“I was definitely enjoying myself and I was feeling quite well. Suddenly out of nowhere I just lost all my energy and I couldn’t really gain it back,” Krejcikova said.
“I was actually feeling worse and worse with time. It’s very sad for me and very unfortunate.”
Navarro took advantage to cause the latest upset in the women’s tournament.
Krejcikova had to fight back from a set down to beat rising star Alexandra Eala in the first round before another tense three-set win over Caroline Dolehide in the second round.
Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has endured a difficult time since defeating Paolini in the Wimbledon final last year.
After reaching the French Open and Wimbledon finals last year, Paolini has failed to make the quarterfinals in each of her last four Grand Slam appearances, although she won the Roland Garros doubles crown with partner Sara Errani in June.
“It’s tough to accept. I’m a little bit tired now. It was two intense months before coming here,” she said. “If I want to compete at this level I have to be focused all the time, not like I was today.
“The goal for sure in the next part of the season is to reset and mentally stay there for every point.”
The 29-year-old’s defeat against Rakhimova means four of the top five seeds in the women’s singles have been eliminated just three days into the event.
Second seed Coco Gauff, third seed Jessica Pegula and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen were beaten in the first round.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is the last of the top five seeds remaining after her win against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in the second round on Wednesday.
