Defending champion Garbine Muguruza became the sixth top-eight women’s seed to exit Wimbledon as she lost to Alison van Uytvanck in the second round.

Belgian world number 47 Van Uytvanck demonstrated skill and power to beat the third seed 5-7 6-2 6-1.

The Spaniard suffered the earliest defeat of a defending women’s champion at the All England Club since Steffi Graf lost in the first round in 1994.

“Inside I was dying, especially serving out for the match,” Van Uytvanck said.

Top seed Simona Halep beat China’s Saisai Zheng 7-5 6-0 earlier on.

Halep and seventh seed Karolina Pliskova are the only top-eight seeds remaining in the women’s draw.

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It is only the second time that Van Uytvanck has gone beyond the second round at a major.

“In sets two and three I was just there mentally. I was in the zone and just hitting every ball and it was going my way,” she said.

“I would love to be in the second week for the first time at Wimbledon.”

Muguruza trailed 4-2 but won three games in a row in the opening set to lead 5-4.

Van Uytvanck fought back and Muguruza needed a second chance to serve out for the opening set.

The Belgian continued to show her fighting spirit in the second set and broke for a 4-2 advantage, with her forehand causing Muguruza all sorts of problems.

Van Uytvanck broke to make it 3-1 in the decider and showed few signs of nerves, breaking again for 5-1 before wrapping up the biggest win of her career and making it through to the third round for the first time.

She will next face Estonian 27th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16.

Muguruza admitted it has been a tough match for both players.

“She played big, took a lot of risk and it worked for her,” she said. “I also think that my level was not where I wanted it to be. That’s also why she could develop that kind of level.

“It’s a bit sad because I wanted to really go out there. But I think she played great and she has a very good game for this surface.”

Van Uytvanck played fearlessly – analysis

Four-time Grand Slam champion and fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters: “It is a huge win. Van Uytvanck is a super nice girl. She had to deal with injuries in 2016 and worked hard to come back. For her to have this result is amazing. I am really happy for her.”

Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker: “Court Two has the nickname of the graveyard because a lot of top seeds have lost on this court. The superstars are used to playing on Centre Court, Court One. Here it is a different atmosphere for both players.”

Former tour player and BBC commentator Chanda Rubin: “Van Uytvanck looked the same at 2-2 in the first set as she did at the end. You could not tell she was getting close to the biggest moment in her career. She’s been fearless and played strategically so well.”

Halep fights back to reach third round

Halep was 5-3 down in the first set against the world number 126 but once she got into her stride was a comfortable winner.

“I stopped missing and tried putting less power on the shot to make her run,” the 26-year-old told BBC Sport.

“I just have to fight for every point.”

Next up for the world number one will be Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei.