By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Three more WTA seeds fell on Day 2 at the Australian Open, bringing the total to a record of 11.
Photo Source: Corleve
Seeded women fared better on Day 2 of the Australian Open, but the day was not without upsets. Andrea Petkovic (13), Jelena Jankovic (15) and Flavia Pennetta (12) all fell victim to the upset bug that has proven to be contagious in Melbourne during the first two days, tying the all-time record for seeds to fall in the first round of a major.
Petkovic fell to American Madison Brengle, blowing a one-set lead before losing, 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3. Jankovic went out without a whimper to Timea Bacsinszky, 6-1 6-4, while Pennetta fell to fellow fiery Italian Camila Giorgi, 4-6 6-2 6-3.
Since 2001, when seeding was increased from 16 to 32 players, eleven seeded players have fallen in the first round twice, but it has not happened since 2004.
But the day wasn’t all bad for seeds. The only top ten seed in action (Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki) were all victorious in straight sets. Kvitova, who was knocked off in the first round last year, admitted that she was relieved.
“”I saw yesterday many of us seeded players, we went out,” she said. “Of course, it stays in your mind and it's always difficult. I know how it is. I lost first round last year. I really know how the girls are feeling, so it's not easy. Yeah, that's the sport.”
18th-seeded Venus Williams, playing in her 65th career Grand Slam, which ranks third all-time in terms of major appearances, was also a winner, as were last year’s runner-up, 11th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova and 20th-seeded Sam Stosur.
In total, two top 10 seeds fell in round one, and seven top 20.