From despair to Wimbledon third round, Argentina's Sierra cashing in on lucky break
LONDON - Argentina's Solana Sierra had never won a Grand Slam match heading into this year's Wimbledon and when she lost in the final round of qualifying the wait looked set to continue.
Even more galling for the 21-year-old was that she failed to convert a match point in her loss to Australia's Talia Gibson.
Less than a week later, however, thanks to a lucky break she has become the first Argentine woman to reach the third round at the All England Club since Gisela Dulko in 2009 and she is better off to the tune of 152,000 pounds ($207,084).
Sierra, who had already checked out of her accommodation, learned only at lunchtime on Monday that Belgium's Greet Minnen had pulled out of the tournament and that she had been selected in the draw for a lucky loser spot in the main draw.
Twenty minutes later she was on court to play Australia's Olivia Gadecki whom she beat 6-2 7-6(8) -- breaking down in tears and hugging her entourage after sealing match point.
On Wednesday, the world number 101 took to Court One and silenced the majority of the 12,000 fans by coming from a set down to put out Britain's Katie Boulter 6-7(7) 6-2 6-1.
With 102-ranked Cristina Bucsa of Spain up next, Sierra's extraordinary adventure might could still have some way to run.
"I might book my room for three or four days more," Sierra, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, told reporters. "It's been crazy, I've changed it three times."
Sierra spent Monday morning hitting with Canada's Victoria Mboko, who also got in as a lucky loser and who also won her first round, in the hope of a late call-up.
It proved a very wise decision.
"It's a bit crazy, because I was already out of the tournament, and I had luck with the lucky loser. But yeah, I'm super happy. I took the opportunity," she said after her impressive defeat of 43rd-ranked Boulter.
Having so little time to prepare for her first-round match was actually a blessing in disguise, Sierra said.
"It was like 15 minutes before. Yeah, I didn't have too much time. I just changed. We took five minutes, and then I entered the court. But it was good because I didn't think too much."
Having never won a Tour-level match on grass before Monday, Sierra said it was a surface she was beginning to enjoy, now that she had adapted to the lower skidding bounce.
Asked what she would do with her biggest ever pay-day, Sierra said she had her eye on a necklace she had previously thought was too expensive, but first she had a job to do.
"I'm still in the tournament. I have another match in two days, I'm really happy, but I want to keep going," she said. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Macleod returns as Wales seek to end record losing streak against Japan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 26, 2022 Wales' Josh Macleod and teammates look dejected after the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo Flanker Josh Macleod will earn a first cap in almost three years when he starts for Wales against Japan in Kitakyushu on Saturday, as the visitors seek to end a record 17-game losing streak that has weighed heavily on the game in the country. Macleod has not featured for the side since the autumn series in 2022 and will make up a back three that also includes Alex Mann and experienced number eight Taulupe Faletau. Ben Carter and Teddy Williams are the second row pairing while hooker Dewi Lake, who captains the side, will have props Nicky Smith and Keiron Assiratti either side of him. Flyhalf Sam Costelow starts after missing the Six Nations through injury, with Kieran Hardy at scrumhalf. Ben Thomas and Johnny Williams make up the centre pairing, and there is a back three of wings Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, and full-back Blair Murray. Replacement hooker Liam Belcher is the only uncapped player in the match day 23. "We had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection," stand-in coach Matt Sherratt said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Man to be charged after he allegedly damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption "(Macleod) has struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. "I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected how much he deserves it. "He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad." Wales have not always got the reward their performances deserved in their horror 17-game losing run, and Sherratt is hoping they can keep their intensity throughout. "I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. "It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key." Wales team: 15. Blair Murray, 14. Tom Rogers, 13. Johnny Williams, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Kieran Hardy, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Josh Macleod, 6. Alex Mann, 5. Teddy Williams, 4. Ben Carter, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 2. Dewi Lake (captain), 1. Nicky Smith Replacements: 16. Liam Belcher, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Archie Griffin, 19. James Ratti, 20. Aaron Wainwright, 21. Tommy Reffell, 22. Rhodri Williams, 23. Joe Roberts. REUTERS
Independent Singapore
2 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
'There's no pressure at all on me' — Emma Raducanu to face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka after impressive matches at Wimbledon
In a highly anticipated third-round match at this year's Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu won against the tournament's 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova with a final scoreline of 6-3, 6-3. With this, the young athlete will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the next round. Raducanu recently came from a win against fellow Briton Mimi Xu in the opening round, and she seemed to be comfortable on Centre Court. With her impressive performance, she also overcame a tough battle against Vondrousova, who claimed the grass-court title in the Berlin Open. With her win, Raducanu admitted: 'I think today I played really, really well… There were some points I have no idea how I turned around.' She added: 'I knew playing Marketa it was going to be an extremely difficult match. She's won this tournament and it's a huge, huge achievement. I'm so happy with how I focused and put my game on the court.' Highlights of the match Emma Raducanu indeed upped her game by experimenting with the speed and angles of her shots. She then took the lead at 4-2 by hitting a backhand winner down the line to break Vondrousova's serve. Raducanu lost her next service game immediately. However, Vondrousova made two double faults, and this helped Raducanu break serve again. Following this, Raducanu held her serve well and clinched the first set. Raducanu kept it up in the second set, breaking Vondrousova's serve once more to lead at 2-1. Vondrousova looked frustrated by Raducanu's strategies and tactics, especially with the athlete's backhand shots. Raducanu kept her serve strong and won the match. Now facing Sabalenka, Raducanu declared: 'I'm just so happy I get to play another match here. (Sabalenka) is number one in the world, so dominant, has won literally everything. I'm just so happy how I performed. I guess there's no pressure at all on me.' On social media, Raducanu expressed her gratitude to the people who stayed and supported her. She stated in her caption: 'M eans the world having these people by my side 🤍' Netizens also showed their support to the athlete in the comments section by saying: 'Amazing job Emma! We're all so proud of you! Keep going 💪🔥', 'So happy for you! So happy to see you happy. That's what's matters most', 'Emma is so beautiful. Keep fighting mate, fight as hard as you can, against the mighty Sabalenka please 🔥🔥🔥', and 'It's so amazing to see you smile and laugh Emma. Great to see able to put some of the challenges behind you and recover. Well done on looking after yourself. 👍🏻'
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia govt confirms $2.2 billion funding for 2032 Brisbane Games venues
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A view of the city skyline of Brisbane, the city expected to be announced as host for the 2032 Olympic Games, in Brisbane, Australia, July 4, 2021. Picture taken July 4, 2021. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo SYDNEY - The Australian government has confirmed it will contribute A$3.435 billion ($2.25 billion) towards the A$7.1 billion cost of building the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, clearing the way for the start of construction. Queensland taxpayers and private finance will provide the balance of the money for the 17 new and upgraded venues for the Summer Games under the funding deal announced by state and federal governments on Thursday. "The Sydney 2000 Games left an incredible legacy and many Australians have memories that have lasted for decades," Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said in a statement. "We are ready to deliver a Brisbane 2032 games that will leave the same incredible legacy for Queensland. "The Australian government's commitment of A$3.4 billion towards the Games venues is the single largest contribution any Australian government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country." Brisbane was awarded hosting rights for the Games in 2021 but political wrangling over the venues meant the final plans were not decided until March this year. Organising committee chief Andrew Liveris welcomed Thursday's announcement as a "significant shift in forward momentum". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption Asia Bus carrying 46 passengers crashes with two lorries in Johor, leaving two dead, 16 injured "I thank the Australian and Queensland governments for moving swiftly following the Australian government's recent return to office to agree on intergovernmental funding that will ensure physical works can get underway ..." he said. The main stadium, which is estimated to cost A$3.7 billion, will be built in the city's Victoria Park and seat 60,000 during the Olympics and 3,000 more for Australian Rules football and cricket matches after 2032. A new aquatics centre to host the swimming in 2032 will also be built nearby at an estimated cost of A$650 million. "Today's landmark agreement is the beginning of a new partnership that sets the pathway to deliver 2032 as the best Games ever," said Queensland's Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie. "We've also launched procurement on four key projects to kickstart the delivery of world-class venues in the delivery plan. "I can also announce that we will start site investigations at Victoria Park for Australia's most exciting sporting precinct that will be home to the new main stadium and the new National Aquatic Centre." Liveris said in May that he did not think any ground would be broken on the two major new venues until the end of 2026. The federal government has already committed A$12.4 billion for local transport improvements that the Queensland government believes are necessary for 2032, the statement said. REUTERS
