The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are well underway and plenty of surprises have been developing throughout the competition. Several big names in both the men’s and women’s draws have been knocked out early. Here are the biggest names that have lost who were predicted to go far at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Naomi Osaka
World No.2 Naomi Osaka is out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after losing in straight sets to Marketa Vondrousova. Osaka did not play like her usual self as her impressive serving was just not there on this match. She produced 32 unforced errors while the Czech only had 10. The first set just took 24 minutes and it saw Vondrousova winning comfortably, 6-1.
The second set was more competitive, but Osaka was still not her usual self. Vondrousova played incredible and was hurting Osaka with the drop shots. The Japanese star was struggling throughout the match and was very flat in her overall game. No doubt a huge upset and very disappointing loss as everyone was looking forward for Osaka to win it all.
Ashleigh Barty
World No.1 lost in her opening match against Sara Sorribes Tormo in straight sets. She hit a whopping 55 unforced errors while the Spaniard only made 13. The scorching heat took a toll in her game but that is no excuse as her opponent took advantage of Barty’s poor game.
After winning Wimbledon two weeks ago, everyone thought she would go far in the tournament. However, that was not the case. Now, she has to focus on her double matches in which she is partners with Storm Sanders.
Aryna Sabalenka
The Belarussian was knocked out in the second round by Donna Vekić in three hard fought sets. Sabalenka was 4-2 up in the final set but could not hold on to the lead. This is another disappointing loss as she was a major contender coming into this tournament. Sabalenka has been playing incredible tennis this year and looked strong coming into this match.
Hard courts are her preferred surface as they suit her game better, but the Croatian had other plans. In two hours and 35 minutes, Sabalenka’s dreams of a medal were shattered by the Croatian.
Other Big Upsets In the Women’s Draw
Iga Świątek, Karolína Plíšková, Petra Kvitová, Jennifer Brady, and Barbora Krejčíková are all out of the Olympics. These big names did not live up to the expectations and must now focus on the last Grand Slam of the year.
Felix Auger Aliassime
The 20-year-old Canadian lost to Max Purcell, who replaced Andy Murray due to a quad injury, in straight sets. He never found a rhythm and it cost him in this match. Maybe the last-minute change in his opponent cost Auger-Aliassime to change his tactics and never adapted to the match.
Nonetheless, he will turn his attention to mix doubles in which he partnered with Gabriela Dabrowski.
Andrey Rublev
The 23-year-old Russian suffered a first-round loss to Kei Nishikori. It was a tough first round draw and it proved to be so as the Japanese star won the match in straight sets. Rublev never seemed quite comfortable in the match, and it showed in the score. Nishikori played lights out tennis as he had 20 winners and ten unforced errors. Rublev is having a great year, but the lack of experience proved to be a weapon Nishikori possessed and Rublev lacked in the match.
The Russian will now focus his attention on the mix doubles in which he will partner with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. They will face Croatians Ivan Dodig and Darija Jurak in the first round.
Hubert Hurkacz
The Polish No.1 was shocked by Great Britain’s Liam Broady in three sets. The 2021 Miami Open champion was the heavy favorite but could not get the win. He dropped the first set but bounced back in the second. However, in the final set the British player raised his level and took the set and match.
Hurkacz was coming from a great run in Wimbledon after eliminating Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. Losing to the No.143 in the world is a devastating loss but he must now focus in the next tune up events leading to the US Open.
Main Photo from Getty.
