World champion Ashleigh Barty had to face a shocking defeat by Sarah Sorribes Tormo of Spain in the first round of the women’s singles Olympics that are under way in Tokyo.
Australian Barty, who recently emerged victorious and grabbed her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July, had to gace a frustrating loss in her 6-4 6-3 defeat to Sorribes Tormo who is ranked 48th in the world.
Defeating Number One
The victory marks the greatest achievement for the Spanish player Sorribes Tormo.
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming all my life, being here and, even more, beating a number one,” Sorribes Tormo said.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I still can’t believe it.”
Other Matches
Second-seed from Japan Naomi Osaka outscored Saisai Zheng of China 6-1 6-4.
Osaka lit the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony and is the highest ranked athlete left in the draw currently.
Barty is still competing in Tokyo Olympics after she and Storm Sanders progressed to the women’s doubles second round on the first day.
The Wimbledon finalist Player Carolinaina Pliskova managed a 6-1 6-3 victory against Alize Cornet of France, while Aryna Sabalenka third seed from Belarus beat Poland’s Magda Linette 6-2 6-1.
Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro also won her first ever game since recovering from her cancer diagnosis. She defeated Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1.
Extreme Weather On First Day
Temperatures soared to 32 degrees in Tokyo on Sunday, leading the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to implement their extreme weather policy.
Players were allowed a 10-minute recess between the second and third sets when the temperature reading was over 30.1C, with the end-to-end shift and set of breaks also extended by another 30 seconds.
Novak Djokovic and world-leading Daniil Medvedev both mentionedl about the high temperatures during their first games.
“A lot of the competition schedule has been built when possible to avoid the hottest part of the day,” Kit McConnell, sports director of the International Olympic Committee, said.
