'What the hell': Ash Barty bows out in 'abysmal' Olympics shocker
World No.1 Ash Barty has crashed out of the Olympic Games in the first round after a tough showing in the Tokyo heat against Spain's Sara Sorribes.
Barty, fresh off winning an historic Wimbledon title, struggled with a poor first serving percentage in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to the Spaniard.
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The Aussie was clearly off her rhythm and made a number of unforced errors to leave her reeling 5-3 in the second set.
Sorribes then closed out the match to send the World No.1 packing in the biggest upset so far.
Barty entered the Olympics in red-hot form following her second career Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
This made it all the more shocking in the fashion the fighting Aussie bowed out.
Fans couldn't quite believe what they had witnessed following Barty's demise at the hands of the World No.72.
Ash Barty is playing the worst tennis I've seen her play in quite awhile. pic.twitter.com/QRqI7013xo
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) July 25, 2021
Absolutely cannot believe Ash #Barty played THOSE three points and then proceeded to lose three straight to drop the set. Holy hell.
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) July 25, 2021
Aussies get swimming WR: yes Olympics good idea
Ash Barty gets knocked out 10 minutes later: nope cancel the Olympics— Jessica Dunne (@JessicaTeneal) July 25, 2021
No Barty Party 😢 Our world number 1 out in straight sets #ashbarty
— Tara Rushton (@TaraRushton) July 25, 2021
Ash Barty’s first serve percentage is abysmal, she keeps hitting shots into the net while her forehand is consistently going long. This #Olympics #tennis match is kind of hard to watch, but good for Sara Sorribes Tormo
— Sarah (@Sarah_Oestreich) July 25, 2021
Ash barty what the hell is going on why arent you trying
— chase hooper fan club (@RichMitchRobby) July 25, 2021
Not looking good for our Aussies on court in Tokyo.
Ash Barty trails world no. 48 Sara Sorribes Tormo by a set and a break 4-6, 0-1*.
Meanwhile, James Duckworth trails world no. 246 Lukas Klein by a set and a break as well 5-7, 1-2*.— Jedd Zetzer (@JeddZetzer) July 25, 2021
big dramas for Ash Barty. lost first set and now dropped first service game in the second - she is in a bit of strife here #tokyo2020 #tennis
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) July 25, 2021
47% first serve 🤦🏼♂️
Barty having an absolute stinker so far. Get it going Ash! #TeamAustralia #Tokyo2020 #Tennis— Chris (@Vossy7) July 25, 2021
The commentator. pointed out Barty didn't have that trademark 'steel' in her fightback as she toiled away in the second set to no avail.
Barty is still alive in the doubles after her victory with Storm Sanders in the first round.
Tennis stars call for Olympic tennis change
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev have called on Olympics organisers to change the tennis schedule after players battled through oppressive heat on Saturday.
The world's top two men's players led calls to move matches to the late afternoon for the rest of the competition to save players from the stifling conditions.
Temperatures hovered around 34 degrees Celsius on Saturday and the high humidity made it extremely tough on players, who failed to find much comfort from ice bags and a hose blowing cool air.
French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova grasped for an air tube during a medical timeout and grew frustrated at the lack of ice in a court-side container.
This prompted calls from World No. 2 Medvedev for matches to be moved to the evening and found support from Serbia's top-ranked Djokovic.
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