In Short
- Djokovic, Swiatek advance to round 2
- Williams, Gauff crash out in round 1
- Pegula, Garcia ease through to round 2
By Rounaq SehrawatDefending champion Novak Djokovic and top seed Iga Swiatek advanced to round two, while five-time champion Venus Williams and world number seven Coco Gauff were knocked out in the opening round of Wimbledon.
Djokovic downs Cachin
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic beat Argentina’s Pedro Cachin in straight sets in the first round of Wimbledon. Djokovic beat Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 to advance to round 2 of the grass-court tournament.
Speaking after the match, Djokovic said he tries not to take any match for granted, adding that it’s a wonderful feeling to play at Wimbledon. Djokovic registered his 66th consecutive opening round win at a major when he defeated Cachin on centre court.
“I try to not take any match, any minute that I spend on the court here for granted. I’m definitely blessed, so it’s a wonderful feeling to be here,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic is defending his Wimbledon crown, and has already won the Australia Open and the French Open this year. Following his win over Cachin, the Serb will lock horns with Australia’s Jordan Thompson in round 2 of Wimbledon.
Swiatek breezes past Zhu
World number one Iga Swiatek outclassed China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-3 to advance to round 2 of Wimbledon. The 22-year-old Polish player, who recently claimed her third French Open title (2020, 2022, 2023), is now vying for her first Grand Slam triumph on grass.
Despite her dominance in the women’s circuit recently, Swiatek has struggled to advance beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon in previous years. However, the Pole put in a commanding performance against Zhu to register his 62nd at Grand Slams.
In fact, only five female players in the Open Era have won more from their first 75 matches, namely Margaret Court (69), Monica Seles (69), Billie Jean King (66), Chris Evert (66) and Martina Hingis (64).
Ruud survives Lokoli scare
Casper Ruud downed a spirited Laurent Lokoli in four sets. Ruud, who is ranked fourth, faced a tough challenge in the first round of Wimbledon against French qualifier Laurent Lokoli.
The Norwegian managed to find his rhythm on the grass court after a slight stumble, eventually defeating Lokoli with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The 2023 Roland Garros finalist next plays local wild card Liam Broady, who eased past unseeded Frenchman Constant Lestienne in the opening round.
Pegula overcomes Davis
World number four Jessica Pegula overcame fellow American Lauren Davis, while two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka beat China’s Yue Yuan to advance to round 2 of Wimbledon.
Pegula beat Davis 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-3 to move on to the next round. The American tennis star has not lost in the opening round of a Slam since falling to Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros 2020. Following this win, Pegula will face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the next round of Wimbledon.
Garcia overpowers Volynets
World number five Caroline Garcia was able to get her campaign off to a bright start with a 6-4 6-3 win over Katie Volynets, in a match that was affected by rain. A swirling wind disturbed both women’s serving and it was Garcia’s fearsome forehands that earned her the upper hand.
Following her win over the American, Garcia will face Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada in the next round.
Rublev outclasses Purcell
World number seven Andrey Rublev advanced to round 2 of Wimbledon, defeating Australia’s Max Purcell in straight sets. Rublev beat Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to move on to the next round of the grass-court Grand Slam.
The Russian looked comfortable on the grass as he proved a class above 64th-ranked Purcell to reach the second round. Rublev will now meet fellow Russian Aslan Karatsev in round 2 of Wimbledon.
Venus Williams crashes out
Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams crashed out in the first round after suffering a straight sets defeat at the hands of Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. The 43-year-old, who was playing just her third tournament of the season, lost 6-4, 6-3 against her fellow wildcard in a match that lasted for an hour and 31 minutes.
Williams, who came into the match with a heavily-strapped right knee, suffered a hard fall early in the game. With the victory, Svitolina improved her career head-to-head record against Williams to 4-1.
Gauff knocked out
In what was a significant upset, Sofia Kenin defeated World number seven Coco Gauff in the first round of women’s singles. The 2020 Australia open winner defeated Gauff 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in the all-American clash.
Following her win over Gauff, Kenin will now face Wang Xinyu of China in the next round of Wimbledon 2023.
Sinner eases into round 2
World number eight Jannik Sinner defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina in straight sets to advance to the next round. The Italian overcame Cerundolo 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in a match that lasted for just 90 minutes.
Other results
In other important results, two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka beat Yue Yuan of China 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and will face Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska in round 2. World number 12 Veronika Kudermetova beat Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 7-6, 6-4. While, World number 14 Lorenzo Musetti defeated Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 in the first round.
Leo Dibbert
Isaac Tremblay
Trace Hane