Tokyo: World No.1 Australian Ashleigh Barty suffered a shock 4-6, 3-6 loss to Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the Tokyo Olympics women’s singles event on Sunday. The and newly-crowned Wimbledon champion dropped serve twice in each set, as 48th-ranked Sorribes Tormo won with only five unforced errors to the Australian’s 27.
She had saved two set points in the first set followed by two match points in the second set while serving at 3-5. Nonetheless, on Sorribes Tormo’s third opportunity, Barty got a backhand volley, one last blunder in a 94-minute match rife with them.
On the other hand, top-ranked Novak Djokovic started his quest for a Golden Slam with a straight-set 6-2, 6-2 win against Bolivian Hugo Dellien to advance to the second round. The Serbian will next face Jan-Lennard Struff after the German triumphed against Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-4.
With so many sports in the same city, it was only a matter of time before Novak made some new friends. 😂@DjokerNole | @ninaderwael | @mae_gym | @teambelgium#StrongerTogether | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/lPNro0lJ70
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 24, 2021
Meanwhile, Djokovic was seen stretching and doing splits alongside Belgium’s gymnastics team. He was spotted doing splits with Nina Derwael and Maellyse Brassart. Derwael, the first Belgian gymnast to win a medal at the World Championships, also posted the photo, writing: “When Djkokovic asks for a picture, you can’t refuse.” Novak’s flexibility left five-time Olympic gold medallist Nadia Comaneci impressed as she replied, “Great flexibility I can say.”
In the latest development, British Andy Murray will not defend his Olympics men’s singles title withdrawing from the event due to a minor thigh strain. He still can compete in the men’s doubles but has been asked not to compete any further.
Murray has been replaced in the singles draw by Australian Max Purcell. “I am really disappointed at having to withdraw but the medical staff have advised me against playing in both events,” a statement from Murray read. “I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe.”
