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Tennis world no. 1 Ash Barty out in first round at Tokyo 2020

he two-time Grand Slam champion, fresh off a win at Wimbledon earlier this month, was far from her best against the 48th-ranked Spaniard
Last Updated 25 July 2021, 07:19 IST

World number one Ash Barty's Olympic singles campaign was cut short on Sunday, with the Australian delivering a lacklustre performance against Sara Sorribes Tormo at the Tokyo Games.

The two-time Grand Slam champion, fresh off a win at Wimbledon earlier this month, was far from her best against the 48th-ranked Spaniard who put on a fiery display to claim the biggest victory of her career.

"It's an amazing feeling. I still can't believe it. It's something incredible for me, it's something that I've been dreaming all my life - being here and even more, beating the world number one, so yeah, I'm super super happy," Sorribes Tormo told reporters.

Barty was visibly dejected after her match, declining to address other reporters after speaking briefly to Australian media.

It was her first meeting with Sorribes Tormo, who put on a composed performance to win 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 34 minutes.

The 24-year-old Spaniard said she was looking forward to her doubles match with compatriot Paula Badosa later on Sunday, in sweltering conditions that have already troubled players at Ariake Tennis Park.

"I'm playing with Paula who is one of my best friends and we are super happy to have been here playing the doubles and yeah we will enjoy, doesn't matter the conditions," she said.

"We're here to play, we are here to enjoy and that's what we will try to do."

The trouble started early for Barty, who was broken three times in the first set, as she struggled with her serve and hit 28 unforced errors to just eight from her Spanish opponent.

Barty showed signs of her trademark fighting spirit in the second set, getting a break back after losing her serve in the opening game, but was unable to keep it up for long.

Leading at 3-2, she failed to convert two more break points as more errors followed.

A final backhand into the net and Barty's Olympic singles dream was over, with Sorribes Tormo set to meet either France's Fiona Ferro or Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in the second round.

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(Published 25 July 2021, 04:52 IST)

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