In a stunning upset at Wimbledon, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys faced a surprising defeat in the third round, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who is ranked 104th. This marks a significant turn in the tournament, which has already seen notable disruptions among the top seeds.
With Keys’ exit, only one of the top six women, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, remains in the competition. Sabalenka advanced after a hard-fought match against Emma Raducanu, who previously claimed the U.S. Open title in 2021, winning 7-6 (6), 6-4 on a lively Centre Court.
The tournament has seen a series of surprising results, including a record of 13 seeds eliminated in the first round of the men’s draw. Siegemund acknowledged the nerves accompanying such high-stakes matches, humorously noting, “If you don’t have nerves in this moment, you’re probably dead.”
Keys, who has struggled at Wimbledon historically, made a total of 31 unforced errors—20 more than Siegemund—highlighting her difficulties on a windy day. Siegemund, who had previously struggled at the All England Club, celebrated her victory exuberantly, recognizing the significance of defeating a player of Keys’ caliber.
At 37, Siegemund is the oldest woman remaining in the tournament and approaches her next match against 101st-ranked Solana Sierra with a mindset free from pressure. This opportunity is particularly noteworthy as Sierra entered the main draw following a withdrawal from another player after losing in qualifying.
This year’s Wimbledon continues to defy expectations, with unseeded players making significant strides and showing that when it comes to tennis, anything can happen on the grass courts. The unpredictable nature of the tournament adds an exciting element for fans and players alike.