Maria Sharapova had never lost in the opening round of the grass court grand slam and was not expected to start now, but Diatchenko had other ideas. The 27-year-old Diatchenko completed the huge upset 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 and took it in quite a calm fashion while the 31-year-old Russian was left to rue missed opportunities.
In another upset, two-time champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic was sent packing by Aliaksandra Sasnovich, as the world number 50 from Belarus stunned the eighth seed 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 to reach the second round.
Chinese player Zheng Saisai won her first opening-round match in three years at Wimbledon on Tuesday, winning against fellow Chinese Wang Qiang 6-3, 4-6, and 6-1.
Zheng Saisai beats WangWang Qiang to reach second round./VCG Photo
Zheng Saisai beats WangWang Qiang to reach second round./VCG Photo
After coming back from injury, Zheng is looking for her first Grand Slam singles victory this season. She broke early and now has set point, and she took the first frame 6-3 when Wang hit the net.
Zheng was up 3-1 in the second, but Wang found her way back and the world number 70 took the second set 6-4 when Zheng's drop shot fails.
Zheng broke twice in the final set to build a 4-0 lead, and now had match point to close the frame out. When Wang's forehand found the net, Zheng is into the second round for her first time and her prize is Simona Halep. World number one made first match since winning her maiden grand slam at the French Open, the Romanian got short work of Japan's Kurumi Nara, 6-2, 6-4.
Another Chinese player was not fortunate as Peng Shuai was beaten by Australia's Samantha Stosur. The 2011 US Open champion prevailed 6-4, 7-5 to oust the 32-year-old Peng in the first round. China has only won one match so far in a disappointing season.