South's hopes go west as 'Belgian Sharapova' serves up defeat

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Down and out: Mel South's DFS adventure ended at the hands of Yanina Wickmayer

But she met her match in an 18-year-old Belgian hoping to fill the void created by the retirement of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.

Wickmayer has climbed more than 300 places in the world rankings to 85th in the last 12 months and, on her form at Edgbaston this week, could be an outsider to watch on her Wimbledon debut.

The 5ft 11in teenager, who has been dubbed the "Belgian Sharapova" in her native country, began the match with an ace but was forced to save three break points in her opening service game.

She was angered by a series of close line calls but it was nip and tuck throughout an evenly-contested first set until South produced an easy miss at the net in the eighth game.

Instead of holding for a 5-3 lead, the British number four found herself level and she dropped her serve for a third time to lose the set in 43 minutes.

South received what now seems to be customary tips from her coach in between
the sets but Wickmayer continued to have the edge in the second set.

Urged on by a good-sized crowd, South drew on her battling qualities to save four break points in the sixth game of the second set but could not repeat the heroics in her next service game.

Wickmayer consolidated the only break of the second set to successfully serve
out for the match and one hour and 20 minutes.