Wimbledon 2018, Round 1: Wawrinka and Vekic lead Team Yonex in big upset wins

London – Upsets were the story of the first round at Wimbledon 2018. A record 21 seeds fell on the first two opening days, and Team Yonex played a large part, contributing to over 40% of those. Overall, 15 men and 29 women began the main draw for Yonex.



Day 1

On Day 1, Donna Vekic (VCORE SV 100), Tatjana Maria (VCORE SV 100POLYTOUR FIRE 120POWER CUSHION ECLIPSION 2, apparel), and Stan Wawrinka (VCORE PRO 97POWER CUSHION ECLIPSION 2, apparel) led the charge of upsets by taking out the four, five, and six seeds, respectively.

Vekic needed just over an hour to dismantle French Open finalist and 2017 US Open Champion, Sloane Stephens, 6-1, 6-3. It marked Vekic’s first career victory over a top-5 opponent. Later in the day, Maria shocked World No. 5 Elina Svitolina to win her sixth straight match on grass after capturing the Mallorca Open title a week ago.

Day 2

The next generation of Team Yonex players were out in full force on Day 2. On the men’s side Frances Tiafoe (VCORE PRO 97POLYTOUR PRO 125) and Denis Shapovalov (VCORE SV 98, POLYTOUR STRIKE 195) both recorded four-set victories, while Naomi Osaka (EZONE 98POLYTOUR PRO 125REXIS 130) and Belinda Bencic (EZONE 100POLYTOUR PRO 125) advanced in straight sets for the women.

After his match was suspended due to darkness on day one, Radu Albot (VCORE SV 98POWER CUSHION ECLIPSION 2, apparel) scored the biggest win of his career with a five-set victory over world no. 12 Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the second round for the third straight year. Known for being a doubles specialist, Pierre-Hugues Herbert (VCORE PRO 97) flashed his singles skills and needed just over 90 minutes to take down Mischa Zverev, who was red hot after his title at Eastbourne.

It was only fitting that the first round ended with another upset. In a battle of the Russians, qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko (EZONE DR 100POLYTOUR PRO 125) notched the biggest win of her career, as she took down former world no. 1 and 24th-seeded Maria Sharapova, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. Diatchenko was down a set and 5-2, only to come back and win her 8th three-set match of the year.

Team Yonex moving on to Round 2:
Bolded names indicate #TeamYonex players.

Women
Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) def. (24) Maria Sharapova, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4
(26) Daria Gavrilova (AUS) def. Caroline Dolehide, 6-2, 6-3
(11) Angelique Kerber (GER) def. Vera Zvonaereva, 7-5, 6-3
(18) Naomi Osaka (JPN) def. Monica Niculescu, 6-4, 6-1
Belinda Bencic (SUI) def. (6) Caroline Garcia (FRA), 7-6, 6-3
Vera Lapko (BLR) def. Christina McHale, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) def. Mona Barthel, 7-5, 6-4
Donna Vekic (CRO) def. (4) Sloane Stephens, 6-1, 6-3
Tatjana Maria (GER) def. (5) Elina Svitolina, 7-6, 4-6, 6-1
Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) def. Antonia Lottner, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4Men

Radu Albot (MDA) def. (20) Pablo Carreno Busta, 3-6, 6-0, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) def. (6) Grigor Dimitrov, 1-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4
Frances Tiafoe (USA) def. (30) Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) def. Denis Istomin 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) def. Mischa Zverev, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

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