One week into the Australian Open and heavy favorites to win it all already face elimination.
Fans of the UK’s finest are left stunned following the losses of both Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray.
The 17th ranked Raducanu, lost to Danka Kovinic in sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
The reigning US Open champ took a 3-0 lead before needing treatment on her racquet hand. She played through a blister on the hand, leading to the 6-4 loss in her opening set.
Kovinic, ranked number 98 in the world, will also advance to the Round of 32 for the 1st time in her career.
Ditto for Taro Daniel, the Japanese star ranked 120th, who bested Andy Murray 6-4 in succession.
It was a bittersweet end to the tourney, as the loss took place one week after losing in the Sydney final.
The upsets weren’t exclusive to the British stars, as Spain’s two-time Grand Slam winner and world number 3 Garbine Muguruza fell in straight sets to France’s Alize Cornet.
Despite the upsets in both the men’s and women’s brackets, favorites are still alive in the respective singles divisions.
Notable stars such as Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal still are in the race, as they will compete tomorrow in the third round of the tourney.
Osaka plays bright and early, facing Amanda Anisimova at 3 am (Eastern Time). Nadal plays #28 Karen Khachanov at 4:45.
Upsets in Melbourne: Favorites fail to advance in second round of Australian Open
