Making a statement
Dominika Cibulkova knows one victory statement is often all it takes.
Having struggled with expectations and injuries in the wake of her biggest career title at the season-ending WTA Finals in 2016, the power-punching Slovak’s ranking had taken a heavy hit since.
As the highest-ranked unseeded player in the women’s draw at this year’s Championships, Cibulkova could have done worse than to run into the No.22 seed in the second round.
Johanna Konta, though, was no run-of-the-mill No.22 seed. This was Cibulkova’s big opportunity to make that statement early on.
In the absence of two-time champion Andy Murray soaking up his share of the attention, and after a stellar run to the semi-finals at last year’s Championships, there was to be no shying away from it for Konta as the top-ranked British woman.
Granted Centre Court billing, there was added impetus for both women. A win on the grandest stage would deliver a confidence boost both women so desperately needed.
And on Thursday it was Cibulkova’s day.
Pumping herself up with cries of “Pome, Domi! Pome" (Come on, Domi), the 29-year-old had the Brit and the Centre Court crowd rattled as she pummelled her way to a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Her 18 winners were double her unforced error count. This was arguably her finest performance of 2018.
“Yeah it feels great. Of course it was a tough draw today and today I can only be happy with my performance,” a beaming Cibulkova said.
“Everything was just coming together for me. My serve was just really working and I saw that Johanna, she had some troubles of reading my serve. The balls are jumping perfect for me.”
A two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist and former Eastbourne champion, Cibulkova was always going to be a tough ask on the grass. But after three straight opening round defeats before she reached the second round at Eastbourne last week, there was little to suggest the Slovak would produce a performance as convincing as this.
With a stack of ranking points to defend and desperate to turn around a slow start to the season, Konta was facing a woman who only knew one speed – flat out.
It was only on the brink of victory that Cibulkova blinked. Serving to stay in the contest, Konta saved four match points and drew the loudest roar from the expectant home crowd as she held with an ace for 4-5.
But the Slovak had that victory statement on her racket now and a love hold booked a third round meeting with No.15 seed Elise Mertens.
In similar vein to Cibulkova’s sophomore breakthrough season struggles, Konta had found it tough going backing it up.
But she was adamant heightened expectations had zero bearing on her seventh Wimbledon campaign.
“No, not at all,” Konta said. “I'm here to satisfy my own expectations, and I'm very clear on where I am in my development, where I am with my level. I did the best that I could. I lost to a very good player today.
“No, I love playing here. I will love it next year. I will love it for however many more years I get to play. That is regardless of what external factors or media people say about me because that's something that's very much out of my control.”
Defeat sends Konta’s ranking into free-fall, teetering on dropping out of the top 50 and leaving her vulnerable should she fail to rack up enough points again to edge back into the seedings in time for the US Open.
“I was actually just going to say I hope I can deal with it as well as Domi does,” she smiled.
“To be honest, I think this Wimbledon is another demonstration of how seeding is not the be all, end all. The depth we have in the women's game, how players can play very well in any certain match, I am not terribly worried about losing a number next to my name.”
