Ivanovic on Wimbledon scrapheap as Safin show goes on

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Top seed and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic was sent crashing out of Wimbledon on Friday by Chinese wildcard Zheng Jie, the world 133.

Ivanovic's 6-1, 6-4 defeat came just a day after third seed and 2004 champion Maria Sharapova was sent packing by world 154 Alla Kudryavtseva as the chase for the 2008 women's title was thrown wide open.

"It's a real surprise and I have to thank Wimbledon for giving me a wildcard," said the 24-year-old Zheng, a doubles champion here in 2006 whose ranking has slipped from a high of 27 because of a serious ankle injury.

"It was tough. Ana has a good serve and a forehand so I tried to play to her backhand. I tried to enjoy it and told myself to keep going," added Zheng.

She goes on to face Hungarian...