Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner reached the second round of Wimbledon on Monday, while Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka withdrew due to an injury.
Alcaraz overcame a challenging match against 269th-ranked qualifier Mark Lajal of Estonia, winning 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-2. Despite falling behind in the first two sets, the 21-year-old Spaniard rallied to secure his victory. Alcaraz aims to become the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon consecutively.
Alcaraz acknowledged his opponent's surprising performance, saying, "He played a really good match, he obviously surprised me a little bit because I didn't have the chance to see him play a lot."
Jannik Sinner, the top seed, defeated Germany's Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and will next face 2021 finalist and fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini. Reflecting on his match, Sinner said, "He played really well, he was serving well, I missed a couple of shots."
Veteran Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, left fans in suspense regarding his participation. Despite undergoing surgery to remove a cyst on his spine, he has not fully recovered sensation in his leg. A decision about his match against Tomas Machac will be made on Tuesday.
Two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder injury sustained at the Berlin Open. Expressing her disappointment, Sabalenka wrote on X, "Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won't be able to play the Championships this year."
In other women's matches, China's world number eight Zheng Qinwen lost to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun, who celebrated her first Grand Slam match win. Zheng's defeat marks her second consecutive first-round exit at Wimbledon.
Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, advanced to the second round with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over compatriot Caroline Dolehide. Former world number one Naomi Osaka claimed her first Wimbledon win since 2018, defeating Diane Parry of France 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. Osaka's win was especially meaningful as it coincided with her daughter Shai's first birthday.
In the men's draw, Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, last year's semi-finalist, hit 16 aces in his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over American Aleksandar Kovacevic. Medvedev expressed his preference for Court One, where he remains undefeated.
Eighth seed Casper Ruud, recovering from a parasite infection since the French Open semi-finals, defeated Australia's Alex Bolt in straight sets. Ruud admitted his illness left him bedridden for over a week, disrupting his preparation.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, at 39, won his first-round match against British wild card Charles Broom 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Wawrinka, determined to continue his career, stated, "I think there is enough reason to keep playing. I don't want to go home."
Wimbledon continues with more thrilling matches and unexpected turns, showcasing both rising stars and seasoned champions.
Comment: