Chwalinska slips on match point - then suffers defeat
BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Original Source
French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska slipped on the grass at a critical moment while pursuing her opening-round victory at Wimbledon, suffering an ankle injury that undermined her movement. The Polish qualifier ultimately fell to Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew despite being just one point away from victory.
French Open runner-up Maja Chwalinska was one point away from winning her Wimbledon first-round match before a slip on the grass changed everything.
Poland's Chwalinska stormed to the Roland Garros final as a qualifier in June and looked set to continue her good form at 6-2 5-2 up against Mananchaya Sawangkaew on the first day at SW19.
Chwalinska created a match point on her opponent's serve, but, while running for a forehand at the back of the court, slipped and fell awkwardly.
The 24-year-old gingerly got to her feet and touched the back of her right ankle before grimacing.
After qualifier Sawangkaew held serve, Chwalinska called for the physiotherapist and put an ice towel around her face as she received a medical timeout.
But with her ankle heavily strapped she lost the next five games as Thailand's Sawangkaew forced a decider, and the Pole's movement only grew worse in the third set.
Chwalinska also appeared to be suffering with a lower back problem as she fell to a 2-6 7-5 6-2 defeat.
The pair shared a hug at the net before a group of Polish fans sang Chwalinska's name as she left the court, with one official carrying her kit bag for her to try and protect her back.
"It's Wimbledon. I don't want to retire [injured] in Wimbledon," Chwalinska said.
"I think I would have many regrets if I would retire, so I just wanted to continue."
Poland's Chwalinska stormed to the Roland Garros final as a qualifier in June and looked set to continue her good form at 6-2 5-2 up against Mananchaya Sawangkaew on the first day at SW19.
Chwalinska created a match point on her opponent's serve, but, while running for a forehand at the back of the court, slipped and fell awkwardly.
The 24-year-old gingerly got to her feet and touched the back of her right ankle before grimacing.
After qualifier Sawangkaew held serve, Chwalinska called for the physiotherapist and put an ice towel around her face as she received a medical timeout.
But with her ankle heavily strapped she lost the next five games as Thailand's Sawangkaew forced a decider, and the Pole's movement only grew worse in the third set.
Chwalinska also appeared to be suffering with a lower back problem as she fell to a 2-6 7-5 6-2 defeat.
The pair shared a hug at the net before a group of Polish fans sang Chwalinska's name as she left the court, with one official carrying her kit bag for her to try and protect her back.
"It's Wimbledon. I don't want to retire [injured] in Wimbledon," Chwalinska said.
"I think I would have many regrets if I would retire, so I just wanted to continue."
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Tags:#ويمبلدون#تشوالينسكا#التنس#بطولة جراند سلام#الدور الأول
Source: BBC Sport
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