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By Chris Oddo | Monday June 27, 2016

 
Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic was knocked out of Wimbledon on Day 1 by a Russian qualifier playing in her first Grand Slam match.

Photo Source: Julian Finney/Getty

Former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic became the highest seed to fall early on Day 1 when she bowed out to Russian qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova.

More: Keys, Venus Williams Lead American Charge on Day 1

Ivanovic, who carried a wrist injury into this year’s championships, says the challenge of playing with the injury made it just too tough for her on Monday.

“It was very tough,” she said. “I mean, since two weeks I struggle with my right wrist. It was very hard to accelerate on my forehand. I tried to do everything possible to be fit and recover and tape it and so on.”

Alexandrova entered the match with only one tour-level win. She came through hell and high water in qualifying to make her Grand Slam debut. She defeated Stefanie Voegele, 6-4, 4-6, 14-12, in the second round of qualifying, then came through over Harriet Dart, 2-6, 7-5, 13-11.

The 21-year-old Russian has gone 24-9 at all levels of professional tennis this season.

Ivanovic says that the wrist was a problem, as well as the Russian’s serve.

“It was a little bit sore,” she said. “I feel like it caused me a lot of miss hits. My forehand was hard to control her fast shots. I thought she played really well and served very good. Especially in the first set, she was not missing many first serves.”

Ivanovic told reporters that she plans to rest for a bit, and isn’t planning to compete again until the Olympics.

“I think I'm going to take some time off,” she said. “My next tournament would be Olympics. So hopefully that will give it enough time to settle down. Hope to do some MRI and see what's going on.”

 

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