Top Seeds Crash Out of Eastbourne as Roddick Advances

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Leon Neal/AFP/GettyImages

(June 19th, 2012) It was a day filled with upsets at the Aegon International in Eastbourne that included the early exits of both top seeds on the men's and women's sides. Meanwhile, America's Christina McHale proved she may be a player to watch when the fortnight at Wimbledon commences next week.

On the women's side, many felt the top four seeds could be vulnerable in their opening round matches and that prediction came true as three of them were sent home early. No. 1 seed Agnieszka Radwanska lost the first set but was unable to take advantage of a break lead in the second as she fell to grass court specialist Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2, 6-4. No. 2 seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was also bounced from the event at the hands of Russia's Ekaterina Makarova. Kvitova managed to stage a late rally in the second set down 2-5, but it wasn't enough as Makarova won 7-5, 6-4.

"There wasn't any secret. I just had nothing to lose, so I tried to play my best game," Makarova told WTA.com. "Petra is really tough and plays unbelievable on grass, so I wanted to show my best tennis and enjoy it. It helped today."

No. 3 seed Caroline Wozniacki, who showed off a new wider serving stance, couldn't cope early on with the big hitting from America's Christina McHale. After losing the first set, Wozniacki clawed back into the match to take the second in a tiebreak. McHale jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the final set only to see Wozniacki pull even at 4-all. But a final break of serve by McHale allowed her to serve out the match 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-4.

The highest seed remaining is now No. 4 seed and last year's winner Marion Bartoli who had no problems taking out Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-2 in just 75 minutes.

On the men's side, top seed Richard Gasquet joined the list of seeded casualties as he couldn't outlast Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic who, with the help of 10 aces including one on match point, won 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3).

In a battle of Americans, it was No. 6 seed Andy Roddick who advanced into the second round over Sam Querrey after, dealing with back pain, was forced to retire down 2-5 in the first set. Roddick will next face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.