Images from Day 4 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday.
IMAGE: Alize Cornet celebrates after winning a point during her second round match against Garbine Muguruza during day four of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Thursday. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza crashed out of the Australian Open on Thursday as she succumbed to a surprise second round 6-3, 6-3 loss to France’s Alize Cornet.
Cornet gave the Spanish number three seed little respite throughout her straight sets win to advance to the next round, where she will face either Heather Watson or Tamara Zidansek.
“I feel amazing and I think I played a great match out there today,” said Cornet.
“My state of mind was perfect, I was super focused on what I had to do.
“I felt like in a bubble and you always have to play a super good match to beat Garbine as she’s such a fighter.”
IMAGE: 2020 Australian Open runner-up Garbine Muguruza hits a backhand during the second round match. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Cornet made a rapid start, securing an early break and kept Muruguza, the 2020 Australian Open runner-up, under constant pressure to close out the set.
It was a similar story in the second set, even as Muguruza attempted to fight back, but a series of unforced errors and Cornet’s determination saw the Frenchwoman close out the match.