The parade of top seeds exiting the French Open continued Monday when Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki were the latest casualties. Williams withdrew with an injury, while Wozniacki was upset by Daria Kasatkina.
Williams was making her first Grand Slam appearance after giving birth to a baby girl in September. She was readying to face Maria Sharapova, but had to withdraw after suffering a pectoral muscle injury that she said was preventing her from being able to serve. She is awaiting an MRI result, but did say she received encouraging news from one doctor.
“So today has been interesting already,” Williams said via Instagram. “I just finished one exam with one doctor, and the news is actually super exciting, so I’m really happy about that.”
It was not known if she will be ready for next month’s Wimbledon.
Major Upsets in Women’s Bracket
Wozniacki was the fourth big name to fall when she was dropped by Kasatkina in straight sets. The two had to return on Monday when their match was suspended due to lighting issues.
“It’s definitely not easy, but it’s the same for both, obviously,” Wozniacki said. “You just try and recoup and regroup and come back and get a strong start. I honestly didn’t think I played badly this morning. I was trying what I could, but it just wasn’t enough today.”
Wozniacki at least made it past the first day. A trio of marquee players did not. Venus Williams, defending champion Jelena Ostapenko, and Johanna Konta were all upset in the first round. For Williams it was the second consecutive Grand Slam match in which she did not get past the first round.
No. 1 Halep Cruising
While several of the top names exited Roland Garros earlier than expected, an upset victim last year is quietly showing why she is the No. 1 seed this year. Simona Halep, who lost in the finals last year to 19 year old Ostapenko, reached the quarterfinals and will face Angelique Kerber on Wednesday. She’s at -230 to advance to the semifinals.
Halep, currently the No. 1 ranked player in the world, lost the first set in her opening match, then rattled off eight straight set victories to reach the semifinals. She was the pre-tournament favorite to win the French Open at +550. She downplayed her status as the favorite at this event.
“I feel good when I hear that, but also, I will keep my line that it’s very far to think about the title,” Halep said.
In the other Wednesday quarterfinal, Garbine Muguruza will face Sharapova. Muguruza gets the nod at -125, while Sharapova is +105.
One semifinal is set and will feature a rematch of last year’s US Open final. Americans Madison Keys will face Sloan Stephens on Thursday. Stephens, who is seeded 10th, is the -165 choice, while Keys is +135 to win.
When the two faced each other in the US Open last year, Stephens won in straight sets.