In a surprising turn of events, Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, was ousted in the first round of this year’s tournament by Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic. The match ended in straight sets, 6:7 (3), 4:6, leaving fans and analysts alike in shock.
An Unexpected Departure
Although Krejcikova was not among the top favorites to win this year’s tournament, given her recent form, Golubic was seen as an opponent she could potentially overcome. The prospect of a fourth-round match-up between Krejcikova and Iga Świątek, the last two French Open champions, had tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipating a thrilling clash. However, that potential showdown will now remain a mere what-if.
Struggles from the Start
The match did not begin well for Krejcikova. She was broken twice early on, giving Golubic a commanding 4:0 lead. Despite the shaky start, Krejcikova managed to claw her way back, breaking Golubic’s serve to love twice and leveling the score. The first set ultimately went to a tie-break, where Golubic proved to be more effective.
In the second set, Krejcikova faced a similar pattern. She was broken in the third game but fought back to equalize. Yet, this effort drained her, and she soon lost her serve again, allowing Golubic to serve for the match. Golubic capitalized on her first match point, securing her place in the second round where she will face either Anastasia Potapova or Kamilla Rakhimova.
What’s Next for Barbora Krejcikova?
Krejcikova’s crowning achievement remains her 2021 Roland Garros victory, where she claimed titles in both singles and doubles. However, she appears to be far from the form that brought her those accolades.
Fans and commentators will now be watching closely to see what steps Krejcikova will take to regain her place among the elite in women’s tennis. Meanwhile, Golubic moves forward, eyeing further success in this prestigious tournament.
Can Krejcikova bounce back and once again surprise the tennis world? Only time will tell. For now, the unpredictability of sports continues to captivate, with each match offering fresh drama and unforeseen outcomes.
