LONDON, JULY 6 :   Iga Swiatek’s quest for success on the grass courts of Wimbledon hit a stumbling block as she suffered a surprising defeat to Yulia Putintseva in the third round.

The top-seeded Swiatek, renowned for her prowess on clay, struggled to find her footing on the slick grass surface, succumbing to Putintseva in a hard-fought battle.

Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, including recent triumphs at the French Open, entered the match on a 21-match winning streak, all on clay. However, her decision to skip the grass-court warm-up events seemed to backfire as she failed to replicate her dominant form on the Wimbledon grass.

Putintseva, ranked 35th, capitalised on Swiatek’s uncharacteristic errors throughout the match, maintaining her composure and seizing crucial points when it mattered most. The Kazakh player’s strategic gameplay and resilience proved decisive, as she secured a notable victory over the world number one.

Swiatek’s defeat underscores the challenges she faces on grass, despite her stellar record on other surfaces. As Wimbledon progresses, all eyes will be on how Swiatek regroups and prepares for future tournaments, amidst growing competition and unpredictability on the grass courts.(UNI)