“This is one of the most important moments in my life,” Jessica Bouzas Maneiro takes out defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets at Wimbledon Round 1

Vondrousova becomes only the second Wimbledon defending champion, after Steffi Graf in 1994, to make a first round exit.

“This is one of the most important moments in my life,” Jessica Bouzas Maneiro takes out defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets at Wimbledon Round 1

Jessica Bouzas Maniero (via Imago)

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro pulled off an upset on Center Court by beating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round at the Wimbledon Championships. The Spaniard, who is playing in the third Grand Slam main draw of her career, needed just an hour and seven minutes to beat the Czech Republic star 6-4, 6-2.

This was by far the biggest career win of Bouzas Maneiro’s career by ranking. In fact, she had never defeated a Top 40 player before Tuesday (July 2). She has played against a top 10 player only once before when she lost to Jelena Ostapenko at the Madrid Open.

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Under the closed roof of the Center Court, Bouzas Maneiro took advantage of Vondrousova’s three double faults in the opening service game. A love hold at 5-4 saw her take the opening set 6-4. While Vondrousova tried to fight back, Bouzas Maneiro got a break for 2-1 and consolidated the lead to finish the match in straight sets.

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In her on-court interview, Bouzas Maneiro stated that the win was one of the best moments in her career.

I think this is one of the most important moments in my life, in this sport. This is amazing. The atmosphere, the tournament is the most beautiful tournament I’ve ever played in my life. Thank you so much to everyone came here to watch the match today.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro said

Vondrousova has become the second female defending champion to lose in the first round of Wimbledon after three-time defending champion Steffi Graf‘s defeat to Lori McNeil in 1994.

No pressure approach helped Jessica Bouzas Maneiro beat Wimbledon defending champion

After the draw for the tournament was made, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was far from the favorite to win against Marketa Vondrousova in the first round. Last year, the 21-year-old was ranked World No. 167 and didn’t progress beyond the first round at Wimbledon, losing to Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (via Imago)

Before her match against Vondrousova, she just hoped to enjoy the moment and give her best against one of the best players in the world.

I was just thinking to enjoy the moment. Marketa is one of the best players in the world. She won last year here. I was like ‘I have no pressure. Enjoy the moment and enjoy the tournament.’ Just trying to be free playing. I did it. I’m happy for that.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro said in her on-court interview

The World No. 83 made her Top 100 debut in April after clinching her first WTA 125 title at Antalya and followed it up with ITF titles in Portugal and Mexico. She will next face compatriot Cristina Bucsa, who beat Ana Bogdan 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) in her opening round contest.

Vondrousova, on the other hand, will lose 2,000 ranking points following her Wimbledon exit and is set to drop from her current World No. 6 ranking.

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