Australian Open 2023: Former World No. 1 Garbine Muguruza, 2020 Finalist Dominic Thiem Crash Out In 1st Round
Australian Open 2023: While Muguruza won the first set before losing the next two, Thiem lost in straight sets.
Two-time Grand slam winner and former world number one Garbine Muguruza crashed out of the first Grand slam of the Year- the Australian Open in Melbourne. She lost in the first round women's singles match to Elise Martens.
Muguruza had won the first set but her Belgian opponent came back from behind to not only level the scores by winning the second set which went into a tie-breaker but also easing past her opponent in the decider. Eventually, she beat the ex-number 1 tennis star 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-1.
Meanwhile, in the men's singles of the ongoing Australian Open, the 2020 finalist, much like Muguruza in women's singles, Dominic Thiem crashed out of the competition after losing to fifth seed Andrey Rublev. Thiem was making a return to competitive tennis with this match.
Even though Russia's Rublev enjoyed a better ranking at the ATP Circuit, Thiem has a better record in the Grand Slams having previously won the US Open in 2020. In addition, he has made it to the finals twice at the French Open but ended up short on both the occasions.
When you play against Dominic, it’s never easy: Rublev
In the end though, it was a victory in straight sets for Rublev who beat the Austrian 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
"First of all I’m happy that I was able to get through in straight sets. It was super hot today so happy I can save some energy for future matches," Rublev said after the match.
"When you play against Dominic, it’s never easy.
"We are really good friends and I know he is going through not easy times, so I just want to wish him all the best to come back at the same level that he belongs as fast as possible," the 25-year-old added.
Rublev has now extended his lead over his Austrian opponent in head to head fixtures, now leading 5 matches to 2.
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