With that, it’s time to end this blog, on a day when there wins for Iga Swiatek, Alexander Zverev, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, Jasmine Paolini and Madison Keys, but defeats for Ben Shelton, Elina Svitolina, and the Queen’s champions Francisco Cerundolo and Donna Vekic, along with Serena Wiliams and Stan Wawrinka late on. And finally there was something for Britain to cheer about, with Katie Swan, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery and Jan Choinski all progressing, after the 10 home defeats on day one. Thanks for your company today, do join Daniel and I for more tomorrow. Bye!
Wawrinka, who is given the chance to speak to the crowd, is asked if he’s sure he wants to retire after that performance. “I don’t want to retire but I know it’s time,” he replies. “One of the reasons I kept playing for so long was for moments like tonight. I pushed myself to my limits. Matteo is a great guy, a good friend, he deserved to win. It’s not easy to say goodbye to something you love so much, but I couldn’t have dreamt of a better goodbye. Thank you so much.”
Farewell Stan, it certainly won’t be the same without you, and I don’t think we’ll ever see another one-handed backhand quite like his, though at least we’ve got the rest of 2026 before the retirement of the man who found a way to win three grand slam titles in the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
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Berrettini ends Wawrinka's Wimbledon career
And no sooner have the lights gone out on William’s singles campaign, perhaps for the last time, they go out on Wawrinka’s Wimbledon career, as Berrettini finally gets the better of the Swiss, 6-7 (9), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5), the highlight the 34-point breaker in the second set. Berrettini, who’s had a succession of injury problems since reaching the final five years ago, shares a warm embrace with Wawrinka at the net, before encouraging the crowd to cheer for his opponent and then flopping into his chair and breathing a huge sigh of relief. That win took everything out of him.
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“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” admits Joint, after securing only her second win in her past 15 matches. “I was up until 2am thinking about it. My legs weren’t moving in the warm-up, I don’t know how I got a good start in the match. She has such aura. Even though I haven’t won many matches this year, I still had the belief I could win and I took advantage of the moment and enjoyed it.”
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Joint defeats Williams 6-3, 6-7, 6-3!
Joint, from 30-all, brings up a second match point, about half an hour after her first. And this time she double faults! Deuce. But an ace secures a third MP … and this time Williams’s return flies long! Williams’s comeback has ended in the first round, but it sure was fun while it lasted. Will it be a one-off, or could we see her at the US Open singles in August? She smiles as she acknowledges the crowd on her way off a court she has conquered seven times, but she’ll be rueing that missed backhand at 2-1 in the final set. She should have been 3-1 up and on her way to a famous victory. Instead she lost five of the last six games.
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Over on No 1 Court, yes you’ve guessed it, there’s another tie-break. The spotlight may be on Serena tonight, but Wawrinka v Berrettini has been absolutely absorbing. Take this fourth-set breaker and Berrettini will book his place in the second round, at the expense of Wawrinka in his final Wimbledon.
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A fourth game on the spin for Joint and it’s 5-2. A stunned silence suffocates Centre Court. Venus can barely watch in the player’s box. Even if Serena can’t hold serve here, at least we’ve got the Williams sisters to look forward to in the women’s doubles. That’s a silver lining. Serena doesn’t look quite done as she advances to 40-15, before taking the game to 30. Joint will have to serve this out at 5-3.
Joint claims her most comfortable hold of the third set so far to lead 3-2. And suddenly Serena is panicking, rushing the points, and her service game flies by in a blur, 0-15, 0-30, 0-40, game and break. From 2-1 up with the break, Williams trails 4-2. Perhaps her energy levels are falling; it would be no surprise if they are. Wawrinka is still resisting Berrettini in their fourth set, though. They’re locked at 5-5 with Berrettini leading by two sets to one.
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A high-pitched scream of anguish from Williams as she misses a regulation backhand on game point at 40-30. I think she’s allowed to miss a few after so long away. But it proves costly, because at deuce Joint wallops away a backhand cross-court return winner. A break-back point. And Joint’s mis-hit lands bang on the baseline for an unlikely winner! She apologises to Williams, but I doubt the Australian is that sorry, because she’s got this final set back on serve. It’s 2-2.
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Williams has a break point at her advantage and is prowling on the baseline ready to pounce on the serve, but Joint gains control in the point, and fizzes away a forehand winner. But Joint’s forehand is blowing hot and cold, and an errant forehand hands Williams a second break point. And another wild shot on that wing gifts Williams the break! She leads for the first time in this match! It’s Williams* 3-6, 7-6, 2-1 Joint.
Meanwhile Wawrinka and Berrettini’s match is sticking to the serving script. After three tie-break sets, they’re 3-3 in the fourth, with Berrettini potentially three games from victory and ending Wawrinka’s Wimbledon career. This may be the only grand slam Wawrinka hasn’t won in his career, having never been beyond the quarter-finals, but he’ll be sorely missed. Not that I should write his Wimbledon obit quite yet, despite Berrettini holding to love for 4-3.
Joint escapes to secure victory in the opening game of the third set, coming from 15-40 down and putting that missed match point behind her, but Williams is pushing and probing now, looking as if she believes she can win this, and doesn’t want to let this opportunity go. Williams holds to 30, lets out another guttural roar, and it’s 1-1 in the decider.
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Fancy a recap of the rest of the day’s action? Sure you do:
Williams wins the second-set tie-break 8-6!
It means we’re down to only two matches under the show-court lights. And Joint holds quicker than you can say “we’ve got ourselves a second-set tie-break”. Which is no less than this set deserves. There’s nothing between them at the start, 3-3 developing into 4-4, and then 5-5, despite a Williams ace. Williams then whistles wide and Joint has her first match point! Williams underlines why she is arguably the most clutch player ever in the women’s game, hammering down a serve, before stepping in to bury the short ball! Match point saved. And now she has her own set point! And after a lengthy rally, Joint prods long! Williams has secured a final set and, the way she’s got better as this match has gone on, she’s perhaps even the favourite from here on in. But does she have the fitness and endurance to see this out?
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Cobolli v Navone has been suspended at the end of the third set, with Cobolli, the French Open runner-up, leading 1-6, 7-6, 6-3. And it’s a similar story on Court 12, where Tiafoe and Atmane are coming off. Tiafoe leads 7-6, 6-1, 4-6.
The double faults appear to be catching. Williams, unlike peak Williams, has hit more doubles than aces so far, and is 0-40 down. A one-two punch straight out of the tennis textbook saves the first. Joint’s backhand misfires on the second. And a stinging serve out wide fends off the third! Joint’s mentor Sam Stosur – who incidentally won the 2011 US Open final in the eye of a Williams storm – can barely watch in the player’s box. Joint gets a fourth BP at her advantage but Williams slams the door shut once more. And holds! Cue perhaps the biggest roar from the Centre Court crowd so far. Williams edges 6-5 ahead, and once again is a game away from taking this first-round match to a final set.
Joint finds some first serves when she needs them most and holds to 15 for 5-5 … just as Wawrinka brings up set point at 6-5 in the breaker against Berrettini. But Wawrinka nets. And now Berrettini has SP at 8-7. And Wawrinka double faults! Ach. Berrettini takes the tie-break 9-7 to lead 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, and it’s a very long way back for the 41-year-old Wawrinka, in his final Wimbledon, from here.
A third successive break on Centre Court and the crowd are once again in raptures as it goes Williams’s way. Whatever happens from here on in, I think the fight she’s shown has more than justified her decision to take the singles wild card. And she’s grown into this match as it’s gone on; no surprise given she’s been away for so long. And for the first time in this second set, Williams nudges ahead, holding serve for 5-4. Apparently fans started queuing outside two days ago to get a ticket for this match, and they’re being rewarded now. Joint must hold serve, otherwise Williams has got herself a deciding set.
Vekic loses 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 to Krueger
The curse of the Queen’s champions has struck again. After Francisco Cerundolo’s exit earlier, out has gone Donna Vekic too, in three sets to the American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger.
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After the first break in the Berrettini-Wawrinka match after nearly three hours, a second follows immediately, as Berrettini fails to serve out the third set and Stan shows he can still be the man. So it’s 5-5 … and a third tie-break is very likely incoming …
“The GOAT of tennis against the youthful newcomer. What a compelling match,” emails Gavriella Epstein-Lightman. “Serena is serving missiles and hitting booming forehands, but Joint is thoroughly uncowed, redirecting Serena’s pace right back at her. When the match gets into extended rallies, Serena’s movement is impressive for a 44-year-old, but it is ultimately Joint who is getting out on top.” And Joint is back on top once more when Williams, after all her good work in the previous game, slumps 15-40 down and is swiftly broken when her forehand flies long. A messy game from Williams and she’ll be kicking herself. Joint is two games away at 6-3, 4-3.
Not any more! A huge “COME ONNNNN!!!” and fist pump as Williams claims her first break, from deuce, with b2b forehand winners! Suddenly it’s like it’s 2016 all over again. They’re back on serve with Williams trailing 6-3, 3-3.
The tide has turned on No 1 Court, where Berrettini has secured the first break of the match after nearly three hours and is serving for the third set at 6-7, 7-6, 5-4. If the 2021 finalist wins this set, I’m not sure the 41-year-old Wawrinka is coming back. So it’s Williams and Wawrinka, boasting a combined age of 85, very much up against it right now, though Williams does hold to reduce her deficit to 6-3, 3-2, but she’s still a break down, remember.
Another two break points come and go for Williams, and she’s now 0-5 on BPs, and Joint is 6-3, 3-1 ahead. “I can’t tell you how difficult it is to go out and play a singles match when you haven’t in almost four years, especially when you’re playing an opponent who seems to be in an incredible zone,” says Tracy Austin on the BBC. I think it also shows the depth in tennis that a world No 87 who’s had only three wins this year is doing so well against a 23-times grand slam singles champ, even though that 23x champ is 44 and playing her first singles match in four years.
Dimitrov defeats Sweeny 7-6, 6-3, 7-5
A much-needed hold for Williams, to love no less. And news of an emotional win for the man Williams calls her “guy bestie”, Grigor Dimitrov. A year on from being forced to retire injured when he was close to knocking out the eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round, he’s won in straight sets against the Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny. Next up for the 35-year-old … the 20-year-old recent French Open semi-finalist Jakub Mensik, who narrowly survived a fifth-set tie-break against Britain’s Toby Samuel earlier.
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An anguished look from Williams as she slides 40-0 down on Joint’s serve. This wasn’t in the comeback script. She could do with shortening the points as much as possible here; she’s never going to be able to outrun the 20-year-old. Joint errs on her forehand and then her backhand just to balance things out, and a Williams winner makes it deuce – and now here’s a break point, her first since the fifth game of the match! A Wimblegasp as Williams whacks her forehand into the net. And Joint eventually backs up the break for 6-3, 2-0.
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Serena does Serena things to open up the second set, as she charges to 40-15 with an ace. But here’s another double – which led to her downfall in the first set – and it’s 40-30. Then deuce. And advantage Joint. Joint pings a backhand down the line and a stumbling Serena isn’t getting to that. This was billed as the Serena Show, but right now it’s Joint who’s proving to be the star and she leads 6-3, 1-0 with the break.
Williams loses the first set 6-3
Williams coughs up two double faults in game eight and Joint has the chance to break … and there’s a collective groan as Williams nets. It leaves Joint serving for the set at 5-3 … and the Australian rounds the first set off with a one-two punch. Which must feel like a gut punch to the 7x champ. Joint has played her best set of tennis this year having lost 13 of her past 14 matches, and she’s saved it for the biggest stage. Williams wasn’t far behind the 20-year-old in that set, it just came down to a few points here and there, but, understandably, she didn’t quite have the sharpness when it mattered.
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Choinski defeats Kopriva 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
After yesterday’s whitewash, a fourth British win of the day! Jan Choinski, the Germany-born British No 2, sees off the Czech Vit Kopriva in straight sets and next up for him could be Frances Tiafoe, who’s just getting under way on Court 12 as the shadows lengthen and the sun dips around the All England Club.
Williams has said she has nothing to prove or lose in her comeback, and has little expectation, having decided less than two weeks ago to play singles at Wimbledon, having already accepted a doubles wildcard. Perhaps this is a chance for her to enjoy her time on court, something she couldn’t do so much when she was under such pressure to rack up major titles during her first career. There hasn’t been any talk that this return is being driven by an attempt to win a record-equalling 24th grand slam title – which would surely would be a fanciful idea given her age and the fact her last slam title was in 2017. But there’s a hint of the Williams of 2017 when she rips a passing winner – though Joint still holds to 30 for a 4-3 lead.
Back-to-back unforced errors from Joint give Williams two break points at 15-40 … but the GOAT can’t take advantage, her movement looking a little laboured (though still better than almost any other 44-year-old in the world tbf). Her ball striking has been good so far, though, she’s hitting with decent depth, and her serve has been solid. Williams then holds to 15 and it’s 3-3.
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The roof on No 1 Court is closing, which gives Wawrinka and Berrettini a well-earned break, after that almost neverending tie-break. Elsewhere, the French Open semi-finalists Marta Kostyuk and Diana Shnaider are through, as is the Czech ninth seed Linda Noskova, for many a possible contender for the title this year. Joint’s fellow Australian James Duckworth has reached round two, but out has gone another Aussie, Ajla Tomljanovic.
No one would blame Joint if she were overawed by this occasion, but she’s looking fairly relaxed, all things considered, and secures her second hold for 2-1. There’s an age gap of 24 years between the 44-year-old Williams and Joint, who wasn’t even born when Williams already had seven grand slam singles titles to her name. Williams’s numbers are, of course, like an all-out stat attack. And Williams holds to 30 for 2-2, crunching down her first ace in the process, though neither have totally found their serving groove yet, to be honest. It’s 2-2.
Williams looks as if she’s never been away as she rattles through her opening service game to love. So it’s 1-1. It’s not nearly so straightforward on No 1 Court, where Wawrinka and Berrettini are doing their best to outdo the Borg v McEnroe breaker from the 1980 final, but Berrettini finally takes it 18-16 (!!!) when Wawrinka blinks on his money shot, as his backhand misfires! They’re level at a set apiece, with no breaks of serve in the match so far, and it could be a late night on No 1 Court, even though most eyes are on Centre and a certain S Williams.
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Of course we know everything about Williams (apart from what kind of shape she’ll be in after so long away), but what of Joint? She’s one of the more talented younger players on tour, and won the Eastbourne title on grass last year, but has lost 13 of her past 14 matches in an injury-ravaged season. So this is a kind first-round draw for Williams, given she is unseeded and could have faced the likes of Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina.
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“I felt like I was looking into a television screen when I was serving to her, it felt so surreal, Maya Joint will feel the same,” says Eugenie Bouchard on the BBC about facing Williams during her career. And now Joint is serving to Williams … who starts her first singles match in nearly four years by winning the opening point. 0-15 turns into 15-30, but a netted forehand from Williams allows Joint to recover to 30-all, and from there the 20-year-old Australian, who gave herself the nickname “Ginger Ninja”, holds.
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To get you in the mood, if you needed it:
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Meanwhile on No 1 Court, Wawrinka and Berrettini go on. And on. Wawrinka now leads 12-11 in the tie-break. But Berrettini swiftly restores parity for 12-12.
* making an entrance slightly more understated than Serena’s *
Thanks Daniel! Wow, that was a spine-tingling moment. Usually the stands empty out between matches on Centre Court; not so this time. And the roof has been closed, just to add to the atmosphere. Serena had her game face on as she stepped on to court, her headphones blocking out the noise, but she’ll have heard the crowd’s roar when she took them off. And here are her two daughters watching from the player’s box, her husband too, and Venus. “I can’t believe this is happening, the buzz is insane,” says John McEnroe.
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Two big serves from Berrettini make 7-6 and set point, but he sends a forehand long, then nets with Wawrinka stranded at the net. He quickly makes it 8-8, though … BUT ON CENTRE, HERE COMES THE QUEEN! Headphones on, she walks down the famous steps and past her own name, there as champion seven times. The double doors open, Joint comes first, and what a moment. The crowd rise to acclaim the greatest, off come the headphones, and this is the treat we thought we’d never get. Savour it, people; I’m off for the day, but here’s Katy Murrells to croon you through it.
Wawrinka blocks back a return that brushes the baseline and Berrettini nets, but he immediately takes back the mini-break then, down set point at 5-6, nails an ace for 6-6. Meantime, Serena is almost due; I can’t wait to see and hear the reception.
Berrettini, though, butchers a forehand into the net, then a gorgeous wrong-footing backhand down the line gives Wawrinkz 4-3; that is just beautiful and it’s incumbent upoin to savour it because it’s almost gone forever. Talking of which..
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Back on No 1, we’re playing that breaker, Wawrinka letting a ball he thinks is falling long go … but it clips the baseline and Berrettini has the mini-break, leading 2-1.
Before we do Zverev’s interview, to No 1, where Wawrinka is serving for a second breaker against Berrettini having taken the first. Then the no2 seed says whe he saw the draw he thought here we go again, same as last year, when he lost to Rinderknech – someone who can serve 120 and take the racket out of your hand. “Incredible player, incredible person,” he says. “This is just the start for him on this beautiful court.”
He says he still struggles “on this beautiful court” and, asked about his grass allergy, says he takes a lot of pills, does a lot of sneezing, but that’s just how it is, he’s dealing with it and feels fine.
He hopes he do better having won Roland Garros. He thinks he can play well on this surface and wants to do better than he has previously at Wimbledon – his best is round four.
To get you in the mood:
Next on Centre: Serena Williams v Maya Joint!
Alexander Zverev (2) beats Alexander Blockx 6-4 (8)6-7 7-6(5) 7-6(0)
Zverev, who serves really well today, thwacks down an ace, and that was a really difficult game against an opponent announcing himself to the world. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of him, while next up for Zverev it’s Royer.
Immediate mini-break for Zverev, who consolidates for 3-0 then, when Blockx nets, makes it 4-0, and this is nearly over. Meantime, Navone seals a 6-1 set over a disappointing Cobolli; he made the last eight last year. Gosh, and while I was typing that, Zverev powered to 6-0 and now holds six match points.
Zverev holds to love for 6-6 and of course we’re staying in the moment, except if he wins the breaker … it’s Serena time.
Kostyuk is all over Podoroska, leading 5-1, while Eala has beaten Zarazua 1 and 2. Lehecka leads Popyrin 6-4 3-0, Noskova leads Seidel 6-4 1-1, and Shnaider came back to take the first set of Lys 7-5. Finally, Vekic leads Krueger 6-3 301 and Choinski leads Kopriva 6-3 302
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Navone has made a good start against Cobolli, leading 3-1 in the first, while Blockx continues to impress, up 5-4 on Zverev in the fourth; he looks good for a breaker, ands if he could win that, the match would really be in the balance. On No 1, Wawrinka leads Berrettini 7-6 4-4, which is to say these two are very well matched.
A typically canny breaker from Dimitrov sees him take it to four. He leads Sweeney by one set to love, and I wish he’d been this equilibrious in the Baby Fed years of his mid-20s. It wasn’t to be, though – it took him longer than ideal to metamorphose from talent to player, such that a grand slam win now looks impossible but, as Sinner found out last year, he’s good enough to give anyone grief.
Oooh, and Blockx then holds in short oder, leading 4-3 in the fourth and, at 21 looks to have a big future. I’m impressed, and I bet Zverev is too.
Zverev breaks for 2-1 3-2, and that might be it; three holds and he’s home. Blockx, though, still fancies the task, making 15-30 … and two doubles means we’re back level in set four at 3-3. Zverev must’ve lost concentration there, perhaps believing the match to be almost over; not so.
Elsewhere, Cobolli and Navone are just under way – I’m excited to see how the former does, and whether he can maintain his level – Kostyuk leads Podoroska 2-1; Eala leads Zarazua 6-1 2-1; Sweeny has broken Dimitrov back so they’re playing a first-set breaker; Sonego leads Etcvheverry 2-1 3-3; Lehecka leads Popyrin 5-4 with a break; GB’s Choinski leads Kopriva 5-3; Lys leads Shnaider, French Open runner-up, 5-3; and Noskova leads Seidel 5-3.
Right, Wawrinka now leads Berrettini 7-6 1-2 on serve, while Zverev is up 2-1 202 on Blockx, who’s not going anywhere. This is really impressive stuff from him, and speaks well of the depth in the men’s game.
Mensik struggles to find words, saying it was tough and that Samuel played great as he did last week at Eastbourne. He gave away no free points, but every story has it’s own journey and Mensik is just happy to be through.
He lost the key first set then from 2-1 “out of nowhere it’s a fifth set”. He came back from a break down then, when serving for the match. “two lucky shots” were a total gamechanger, which is crazy, but though he could’ve finished it earlier, he stayed focused in the match breaker and took it point by point.
Though the crowd were supporting Samuel, he felt the energy from the stands. though most people wanted the Brit to win, the London crowd is polite and there were also some Czechs present, who he thanks in their own language before he’s sent on his way, told he’s coming over exhausted so should rest.
Right, to the interviews. Snigur says it’s very special for her – every win at Wimbledon is. It’s her favourite tournament and she celebrated like a footballer because she’s been watching a lot of World Cup.
She made a rough start against the best Ukrainian and was nervous in front of such a big crowd, then thanks her coach who believes in her more than she believes in herself, her parents, and the crowd.
Gosh, she actually seems too emotional to speak too much and why wouldn’t she? That is, without doubt, the biggest win of her career, but she won the juniors in 2019 so knows her way around a grass court, and let’s see how she fares with the no 8 seed’s path through the draw.
A Berrettini double gives Stan 8-7, and a brute’s serve, punished out wide to the advantage court, the hardest one in the book, means the old man leads 7-6! Tremendous behaviour
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Nope, Berrettini fights to the net via forehand, then covers it well to stick away a volley. We’re back level at 6-6, and this is quite a level Wawrinkz is hitting at 41.
Zverev quickly makes it 6-4, then nails a service winner, and that’s the lead, two sets to one, and it looks as it always has: he’ll do whatever Blockx demands he do. Wawrinka, meanwhile, now leads Berrettini 6-5 and haas a point on serve for the first set. No offence Maz me old china, but come on Stan!
We’ll do both winners’ interviews in due course but we’ve got breakers on both show courts, Berrettini up 4-3 on Wawrinka and Zverev leading Blockx 4-3.
Daria Snigur beats Elina Svitolina (8) 7-6 6-2
Wow! Snigur delivers the performance of her life, coming back from 4-0 down to demolish Svitolina, who got down on herself in a way we rarely see, especially since she came back from mat leave a different player. Next for Snigur: Jeanjean.
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Jakub Mensik (15) beats Toby Samuel 5-7 6-3 6-3 3-6 7-6(7)
A brilliant performance from Samuel who, if he can hit that level regularly, can quickly climb the rankings. But well played Mensik, who stayed calm even after failing to serve out, and he’ll face Sweeny or Dimitrov next, the latter currently up 4-1. What a contest that could be.
This is the best I’ve seen Snigur play, and a comfy hold means she leads Svitolina, who’s struggling, 7-5 4-2; on Centre, Blockx will shortly serve to force a third-set breaker; and Mensik might’ve made the decisive move, hitting to the corner then caressing a volley, and at 8-6 he’s two points away. Gosh, and in the time it takes me to type all that, Snigur breaks for 5-2 – she’ll shortly serve for the match – and a Samuel double means he’s down three match points. But what a performance he’s put in.
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Mensik claws back a mini-break but then a forehand error gives it straight back before he dispatches an overhead; Samuel leads 5-4, but a gorgeous drop levels us up at 5-5, and these two are so well matched, a terrific compliment for the young Brit, who quickly makes 6-5.
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Look at Toby Samuel! He’s shown such great composure and it’s now Mensik making the errors, such that he now trails 4-2, while Snigur has just broken Svitolina to lead 7-5 3-2. O n 1, Wawrinka and Berrettini are level at 5-5 in the first, while Zverev leads Blockx 1-1 5-4.
Immediately, Samuel finds good depth and Mensik nets, ceding the mini-break … before returning it immediately; how generous. And when a forehand flies long, he’s trailing … but the Czech slides in to the net and to 2-2 we go. This is very, very tense.
It’s tight on No 1, Wawrinka and Berrettini level at 4-4, while Mensik nails a forehand then a volley for 15-30; he’s two points from victory, but then reaches for a forehand with plenty at which to aim, only to flap it long. Another error then hands over 40-30, and a big serve does the rest, the return dropping long, and another banging contest – we’ve had a few today – goes to a match tiebereak.
Zverev makes 0-30 on the Blockx serve but from there, the hold is duly secured for 1-1 3-3, and this is a decent contest. Back with Samuel, though, Mensik holds for 6-5, and we’re a game away form a match breaker.
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Back on centre, Zverev and Blockx are level at 1-1 2-2, while Wawrinka leads Berrettini 3-2 on serve. But the most compelling gear is to be found on 3, where a lovely volley gives Samuel 40-15, then he skates in to punish a backhand, and we’re level at 5-5 in the fifth. This is great stuff.
Second time lucky for Snigur in the Ukraine derby; she serves out a 7-5 set having trailed Svitolina 4-0 but, back on No 3, consecutive errors from Mensik give Samuel 0-40, a return dips over the net … and the Czech nets! We’re back on serve at 5-4 in the fifth!
Samuel is playing superbly, coming back from 15-30 down to raise game point with an ace. But he’s soon down advantage, Mensik netting to restore deuce, and this is a contest of serious intensity. A double, though, donates another opportunity and this time, Samuel goes long on the forehand; Mensik leads 5-3 in the decider and will now serve for the match.
Also going on:
A brilliant pass from Samuel, breaking the wrist on a backhand to send it cross-court, gives him a sniff at 40-30, but from there, Mensik secures the hold for 4-3 in the fifth. Elsewhere, Svitolina has broken back for 5-5 in the first … only to be broken again, Snigur about to serve for set one a second time; Zverev slipped not long ago but is fine, and trails Blockx 1-1 2-1; and Sonego leds Etcheverry 6-4 6-4 4-4.
Mensik isn’t going away, and he breaks Samuel back to 30; Svitolina, once up 4-0, now trails 4-5 and Snigur will shortly serve for the first set; and Zverev leads Blockx 1-1 1-0.
On No 1, Wawrinka opens against Berrettini with a hold, and I’d love him to have one last deep run. Three grand slams in the Big Three and Muzz era is amazing, especially given he won his finals against Djokovic and Nadal, appreciating their brilliance by going for and hitting almost everything. I’ll miss him and his ability to turn up on court like he’s come straight from the club, then play like God’s more artistic brother.
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Hang about! A fine backhand volley from Blockx gives him 9-8, then Zverev … serves a double! That’s one set apiece, and the no 2 seed is in a match. The young Belgian deserves that.
Samuel consolidates for 3-1 in the fifth, while Blockx is giving Zverev plenty – they’re level at 8-8 in their second-set breaker.
Samuel makes advantage, chases out of court to retrieve a ball hit to the corner … and Mensik nets! Oh my goodness me, the young Brit leads 2-1 in the fifth with a break! He’s four holds from his first round two, and looks a proper player; meanwhile, back on Centre, Zverev leads Blockx 6-5 in their second=-et breaker … but as I type, he slaps a backhand into the net, set point gone.
Alexander Bublik (10) beats Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6 6-3 (10)6-7 6-3 6-4
He plays Jacquet next.
Nope – or at least not yet, Mensik hitting harder from the baseline, Samuel a little tentative, to make deuce.
Excellent net-play from Samuel snaffles 0-15; he’s playing really nicely and Mensik will have to be at it to win. Meantime, Zverev leads Blockx 2-0 in their second-set breaker, while Bublik is about to serve for the match against Kokkinakis. Oh, and as I type, Samuel makes 30-40; if he can break here, we’ll really be talking.
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Thanks Katy and hi again. I’m watching Zverev v Blockx, Kokkinakis v Bublik, Mesik v Samuel and waiting for Berrettini v Wawrinka.
And with that, my first stint of the day is done, so I’ll hand you back to Daniel. See you again in a couple of hours …
What of Zverev on Centre, you say? He’s 5-5 in second against Blockx, having taken the first 6-4. The return of You Know Who will follow.
A few words on the enigma that is Alexander Bublik: the 10th seed is midway through a fifth set against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Bublik has the break, leading 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (10), 6-3, 4-2. Last year Bublik arrived at Wimbledon with much expectation and didn’t make it past the first round. This time the hype isn’t so big, but he’s edging closer to victory, just as Samuel takes the 15th seed Mensik to a decider with a 6-3 fourth set!
Rybakina defeats Boisson 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
Rybakina, much as Swiatek did, has found a way to step it up when it matters, breaking Boisson for 6-4, 1-6, 5-3, and she’s got herself two match points at 40-15. Rybakina sends down one of her stinging serves and Boisson isn’t getting that back. Rybakina has escaped against last year’s French Open surprise semi-finalist and the Wimbledon champion of four years ago is into the second round, even though it was shaky at times. “It was a really difficult match, hopefully the next match is going to be better, I need to improve a lot,” says Rybakina.
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Currently on the British front, after earlier wins for Fery, Jacob Fearnley and Katie Swan helped make up for yesterday’s total wipeout, Toby Samuel is two sets to one down but a break up against Jakub Mensik, the tremendously talented 20-year-old Czech who made the French Open semi-finals this month. It’s Samuel* 7-5, 3-6, 3-6, 4-2 Mensik. And Billy Harris also trails two sets to one against the 19th seed Karen Khachanov, 3-6, 7-5, 3-6. Gone are the days when Harris lived out of a campervan just to make ends meet while navigating the tennis circuit, but he’s still very much the underdog today.
Virtanen shocks Shelton 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (8) , 6-2, 7-6 (9)
… and Virtanen now has his first match point! Shelton serves … another long exchange plays out… Shelton goes for broke with a lefty forehand down the line … now perhaps isn’t the time to play with such fine margins … and he misses! Virtanen, the Finnish qualifier, has secured the biggest win of his career, sending the fourth seed and last year’s quarter-finalist home. It’s the biggest shock and longest match of the tournament so far. There had been much chatter going into Wimbledon that perhaps this would be Shelton’s year to go further than ever before, but he hasn’t even gone beyond the first round. Virtanen will play Britain’s Arthur Fery next, so opportunity awaits for both of them.
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Shelton again comes off second best at the net. And from 8-5 it’s 8-8. Virtanen has a golden chance to bring up his own match point … but misses! It gifts Shelton his first match point at 9-8 – but it’s on Virtanen’s serve – and after a lengthy rally Shelton smacks into the net! It makes it 9-9 at the third changeover …
Shelton and Virtanen change ends at 3-3. The fourth seed then decides it’s time to put his foot on the gas, accelerating to 5-3, 6-4 and 7-5, throwing in several “COME ONS!” for good measure. Can Shelton, the highest-ranked American at this Wimbledon, finally see Virtanen off? At 8-5 he’s on course to bring up four match points … but Virtanen’s shot drops just in after Shelton decided to leave it! So instead it’s 8-6 and then 8-7 after some rat-a-tat at the net …
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There’s still nothing giving between Shelton and Virtanen, as the match clock ticks past four hours, and we’ve got ourselves a deciding tie-break, which will be played to ten points as it’s the final set. So, alas, there’s no chance of an Isner-Mahut. It’s been significantly more straightforward for Zverev so far, and he breaks Blockx for 5-4 when the Belgian nets. Zverev strikes the first blow in the battle of the Alexanders as he serves out the opening set to 15.
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A welcome return to the grand slam stage for Arthur Fils, who’s just getting under way against Belgium’s Raphael Collignon on Court 15. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who reached the Wimbledon last 16 two years ago, hasn’t played at a major since the 2025 French Open because of a series of injuries. If he can stay healthy, he could be one to watch this fortnight. He’s not a typical French player – he’s less about feel and more about pure power – and he clobbers his way to break point on Collignon’s serve, but can’t take advantage. It’s 2-2 in the opening set.
Rybakina often confounds, mixing supreme grand slam title wins with head-scratching losses. Already this year, having defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open final, she fell meekly in the French Open second round. And here, having bossed the first set 6-4 against Boisson, she’s now 5-1 down in the second, despite Boisson having a medical timeout for a left calf issue. Boisson advances to 40-15 … the errors are flying off Rybakina’s racket … and Rybakina rams her return long! They’re going to a decider. It’s Rybakina 6-4, 1-6 Boisson.
Alexander Zverev, having finally shed his “best man to never win a slam tag”, is walking a little taller as he steps on to Centre Court after Swiatek’s victory. And he’s already 6ft 6in. The German, who’s seeded second this year because of Carlos Alcaraz’s injury-enforced absence, is taking on the young Belgian Alexander Blockx. The match commences with two routine holds and it’s 1-1.
One of the points of the championships so far, as Virtanen fends off a break point against a slipping Shelton, who gets up from the grass not once but twice mid-point, but can’t prevail. Virtanen holds from there and it’s Shelton* 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 2-6, 4-4 Virtanen.
Fearnley becomes third Briton into round two
We waited more than one day for a British victory, and then three have come along at once. Following Katie Swan and Arthur Fery into the second round is Jacob Fearnley, who has bridged a gap of more than 100 places in the world rankings to come from two sets to love down and beat the American Alex Michelsen , 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, in his first ever five-set match. The 24-year-old will face Spain’s Jaume Munar next, who’s surprisingly taken out the Queen’s champion, Francisco Cerundolo, in straight sets.
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As I try to watch countless courts on my computer, this is like the Wimbledon version of spinning several plates at once, and it all comes crashing down when my computer freezes with Rybakina at 40-15 and two set points. Gah! When the swirling circle of doom disappears Rybakina is a set to the good at 6-4.
Rybakina is ripping through the first set on No 1 Court, and Boisson, who unexpectedly reached the French Open semi-finals as a home wild card last year, is serving at 3-5, 15-30 down. It’s soon 30-40; a first set point for the 2022 champion. But Boisson hangs on and holds. Rybakina will serve for the opener after the changeover.
Swiatek lost more games in that match than she did in last year’s quarter-finals, semi-finals and final combined. It doesn’t only show how difficult it was for her today, but also how dangerous she can be when she generates momentum at a tournament. She was vulnerable today but invincible in the latter stages last year, especially in that 6-0, 6-0 shellacking of Anisimova in the final, and if she puts some wins together this fortnight, she could still be very dangerous, despite having not won a title yet in 2026.
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Swiatek survives against Townsend, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3
An emotional Swiatek completes victory, burying her head into her towel after serving it out to love with an ace. She then stuffs a few in her bag, just as she did last year. “I’m not sure I’m able to talk that much, it’s not been a season where everything has gone how I wanted,” the Pole admits. “So I’m happy I could do it here, opening the court as the defending champion. I’m happy I could keep my composure. I got tense in the second set but was able to come back to my game.” A lighter moment follows as she’s asked about her towel pilfering, and now she’s smiling. That was tense and tortuous at times for the 2025 winner but, just like Jannik Sinner yesterday, she’s through in a deciding set, and will hope there are more straightforward days to come.
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A third successive break and Swiatek edges ahead once more. It leaves the defending champion serving for the match at 5-3. Meanwhile Shelton will have to go the distance, because Virtanen secured a second break before serving out the set 6-2.
But no sooner does Swiatek break, than Townsend breaks back! So there is yet another twist to this see-sawing first-round match. Swiatek gave that away, with a couple of loose forehands and a double fault. Naomi Osaka, a good friend of Townsend’s and in far more low-key attire than yesterday’s Kill Bill inspired kimono, applauds in the stands. It’s Swiatek 6-1, 2-6, 4-3 *Townsend.
Iga is now looking, um, much more eager, as she ups the intensity point by point, holding to love once more and then breaking Townsend to 15 when the American’s forehand volley flops into the net. Swiatek now leads 6-1, 2-6, 4-2 and is potentially two games away from survival.
Arthur Fery beats Damir Dzumhur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
Virtanen still has the break against Shelton, leading 4-2 in the fourth set, but trailing by two sets to one. And awaiting the winner in the second round is Arthur Fery, who has become the first British man to win in the first round this year (at the seventh time of asking after defeats for Norrie, Gill, Basing, Tarvet, Wendelken and Pinnington-Jones). The France-born, Wimbledon-raised 23-year-old has come through in four sets against Damir Dzumhur, backing up his run to the Queen’s quarter-finals a couple of weeks ago.
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After that tortuous service game for Swiatek at the start of the third set, which lasted 21 minutes and 24 points, Townsend secures a fairly straightforward hold and Swiatek outdoes that with a hold to love for 2-1. Maybe that’ll calm the nerves of the Pole, who’s trying to avoid becoming the third defending women’s champion to lose in the first round. I bunked off school to battle the Wimbledon queue and watch Steffi Graf lose to Lori McNeil in 1994 (and was then caught red-handed when the camera unfortunately zoomed in on me and my friend in the Centre Court stands). Oops. The other defending women’s champ to be bumped out in the opening round was Marketa Vondrousova two years ago.
Thanks Daniel and afternoon all. And just as Daniel departs, Elena Rybakina arrives on No 1 Court, along with Lois Boisson, who was the home sensation at last year’s French Open but hasn’t won a grand slam match since. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champ, has the added incentive of knowing a deep run here could secure her the world No 1 ranking for the first time.
Meantime, Swiatek seals a protracted hold, saving four break points in the process. The question now is whether it gives her the fillip she needs, or whether how difficult she found it reflects her state of mind. Either way, Katy Murrells is here to coax you through the end of this match along with everything else, so I’ll leave you to hang with her. In a bit.
Mensik, someone I think could go deep, is under way against GB’s Samuel, who leads him 4-3 on serve; Khachanov leads Harris, another Brit, 3-2; Kokkinakis and Bublik are level at a set apiece; Halys leads Arnaldi 2-1 4-2; Fearnley has broken Michelsen to trail 1-2 4-2, that fifth set we predicted looking imminent; and Fery leads Dzumhur2-1 2-0.
Virtanen isn’t going away. He breaks Shelton immediately in set four and the way he’s serving, that advantage won’t be easily retrieved; the no 4 seed leads 2-1 1-2.
Now then! Townsend makes advantage and break point … but overhits a forehand return. Swiatek, though, can’t close out from two advantages of her own and soo has to save a second break point … then faces another. And when she serves long, Townsend steps in but can’t capitalise, a big second serve surprising her … then, when she makes yet another advantage, a further poor return gives it back.
Let’s quickly visit with Fritz, owner of the flattest, most expressionless voice ever. He says it’s never easy coming out at a grand slam so it feels good to come out and play well; but he might also be reading the shipping forecast.
He apologises for ruining Lajovic’s birthday, then explains that it’s odd for him not to play before Wimbledon but he wanted to rest his body. A lot of things felt good today and he’s got things he wants to improve, but he felt great.
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Back with Shelton, Virtanen is refusing to take a backwards step and they’re level at 8-8 in the breaker. As I type, though, the Finn nets, ceding set point in the process, then Shelton unloads on the forehand, whipping monsters to corners before nailing an overhead. “I’m here all day! All day!” he yells at his box, bashing his chest, asd he leads by two sets to one.
Next on No 1: Loïs Boisson v Elena Rybakina (2).
Taylor Fritz (6) beats Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4 6-3
Hour 41 and done for Fritz, who looked extremely comfortable and excited out there; he knows this is his time, but he also knows various others know the same. Next for him: Kypson or McDonald.
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Townsend makes advantage … and swings a lefty serve out wide to the backhand … for an ace! She takes the second set and, at 1-6 6-2, she and Swiatek will play a decider.
The champ’s confidence is, I’m afraid, a very fragile thing, and she became increasingly tentative as Townsend’s mix of top-spinning forehands, drops and volleys asked questions she struggled to answer.
Lots of shouting from Shelton when a slower serve catches Virtanen unaware; it consolidates a mini-break at 4-2, whole Townsend now has two set points at 5-2 40-15 … only to waft a backhand volley over the baseline, then do likewise with a drive backhand. Oh and she then nets to cede advantage … but quickly restores deuce … while Shelton catches a line and celebrates his 5-3 lead. Anyone got any spare eyes?
On 15, the match I hoped would mature into an epic might just be on its way: Fearnley has taken the third set 6-2 to trail Michelsen 2-1, while next door on 16, Dzumhur has broken Fery back in the third to trail 1-1 2-3. But I’m going to focus on No 2 for a little bit as Virtanen and and Shelton are playing a tiebreaker, level at one set apiece – oh, and on Centre, where Townsend is serving for the second set at 1-6 5-2, knowing if she’s broken, she’s another go at it.
Swiatek, though, is not, Townsend playing really well hitting with heavy spin from the back , laying drops, and volleying with deft prejudice at net; she leads 5-1 in the second, a decider looking inevitable.
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I still find it odd that Hugo Boss makes tennis gear – is Fritz tempted to team his top with some dreadful loafers and a tie? – but he’s in it and he’s broken Lajovic to lead 6-3 6-4 3-2. He’s close to round two.
I’m enjoying Virtanen’s performance against Shelton – he’s serving really well and looks mentally very solid. They’re level at 1-1 5-5 and, though I expect the no 4 seed to win, a breaker against so big a server is anything but a cert.
Er, you know that bit, not that long ago, when I said the champ’s confidence would be up? Obviously she’s now down a double break in set two at 6-1 0-3, struggling with Townsend’s net play, and I wonder if there’s something in her intense intensity that stops her playing as freely as she might want.
Townsend lobs Swiatek, who plays a tweener … but a glancing volley, beautifully controlled, seals the point, and another the consolidation. The champ leads 6-1 0-2.
Brandon Nakashima (28) beats Jack Pinnington Jones 6-3 7-6(5) 7-5
Well that didn’t last long. Nakashima breaks again and will meet Struff next.
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Swiatek took the first set off Townsend 6-0, but was broken immediately in the second; Shelton and Virtanen are level at 1-1 3-3; Fery has fought back against Dzumhur to lead 3-6 6-2 2-0; Fearnley is fighting back against Michelsen, trailing 3-6 4-6 3-1; De Minaur leads Burruchaga 7-6 6-1 4-0; Kokkinakis leads Bublik 5-4 with a break; and Pinnington Jones has broken Nakashima back to trail 3-6 6-7 5-6.
The big seed in Fritz’s half is Zverev, whom he leads 10-5 in head to head and who doesn’t love grass; in his eighth, there’s really no one who should bother him – Bublik is the next highest seed, and no one would ever rely on him to do what’s expected.
The last year or two, Fritz has looked like he might be ready to make the jump from contender to pretender – he got the semis last year, playing pretty much as well as he can in losing to Alcaraz in four. But this year, with Alcaraz knacked and Sinner in the other half of the draw, he has what is probably the opportunity of his life; can he make it happen? Well, he’s broken Lajovic in set two to lead 6-3 5-3, and is settling nicely.
Valentin Royer beats Henry Wendelken 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3
Wendelken gave a good account of himself but after the first set, couldn’t play well enough for long enough to win another. Next for Royer: Blockx or Zverev.
Ruthless from Swiatek, who breaks Townsend again for 4-1 in the first; Kokkinakis leads Bublik 3-2 with a break; Nakashima, returning after his match against Pinnington Jones was suspended last evening, now leads 2-0 5-3; and De Minaur has rushed through a 6-1 second set to lead Burruchaga 2-0.
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Hanfman has beaten Mpetshi Perricard 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-3, which has me thinking, reason being Calv Betton, our resident coach, saw him a few years ago when he was still a teenager and was wowed by him. But he’s not quite trained on – though he made round four of this competition in 2024, the first lucky loser so to do in a decade, otherwise he’s done almost nothing at majors. I wonder if a little more finesse is required.
Swiatek eventually secures her hold, saving five break points in the process – she and Townsend are 1-1 in the first – while Shelton has levelled against Virtanen at a set apiece. De Minaur, meanwhile, is making a better first of things than Boulter, up 7-6 3-1 on Burruchaga … and, as I type, Swiatek reminds us who she us, showing Townsend how a break is secured. She leads 2-1, and that will, I think, do plenty for her confidence.
On Centre, Townsend’s tactic is clear: take the ball as early as possible and try putting Swiatek under pressure. She holds for 1-0 then makes 0-40, and though the champ rallies with three first serves that takes us to deuce, another on advantage … is also saved.
Swiatek was a surprise winner last year, but it made sense that her ability on clay eventually translated to grass; the ball bounces low and her excellent footwork is just as important on a slippy surface. I can’t say I’m expecting her to retain, especially after Kostyuk demolished her in Paris – the field are improving faster than her -– but if she hits her best level, she’s capable.
Wendelken and Royer have swapped third-set breaks, so the Frenchman leads the Brit 2-1 2-2; Fritz has taken the first set against Lajovic 6-3; I’m not sure if something’s going on on Court 4 but having lost the first set 6-3, Halys then won the second 6-1 and leads Arnaldi 1-0 with a break in the third; Svajda leads Llamas Ruiz 6-1 4-0 and might just’ve broken a barrier with his performance in Paris; and Dzumhur leads Fery 6-3 2-0.
Madison Keys (26) beats Kayla Day (5)6-7 6-4 6-3
Keys has made two Wimbledon quarters but she’s capable of better, if she trusts herself and turns up – though I wonder about her movement on grass. Still, she survives a fright and moves on to face Katie Swan next.
There’s so much going it’s an outrage. On Centre, Swiatek and Townsend are knocking up, so I’ve got that on; Fritz leads Lajovic 4-3 on serve; Shelton has broken Virtanen for 4-6 4-1; Keys has match point against Day at 5-3 in the third; and De Minaur has won a first-set breaker against Burruchaga.
Jasmine Paolini (13) beats Robin Montgomery 0-6 6-4 7-5
A brilliant win in a terrific match, sadly conceded with a double, but Paolini has so much heart and composure, earning a second-round match against Shymanovich or Golubic, who are level at 1-1 in the first. Montgomery gave so much to the match, but at just 21, she’ll be back and better.
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Back with Paolini, she hods for 6-5, then races to 0-40 and suddenly, after losing the first set 6-0 and being down a break in the third, she has three match points, Montgomery playing tentatively as she attacks thew opportunity with characteristic gusto.
Gosh, there’s so much going on it’s ridiculous. Bouzkova leads Gibson 3-1 in the third, Michelsen has broken Fearnley for 6-3 1-0, Dzumhur leads Fery 5-2, Burruchaga leads De Minaur 6-5 and Fritz leads Lajovic 3-2.
Yup, Montgomery closes out her hold for 5-5 in the third, and this is a really intense tussle. Elsewhere, Arnaldi not only retrieved Halys’ break but took one of his own and now leads 6-3 0-1; Keys has just broken Day for 3-2 in the third; and Zach Svajda, so impressive in making round four in Paris, leads Llamas Ruiz 5-2.
Jacob Fearnley has also lost a set, trailing Michelsen 3-6, but let’s go to 12, where Paolini has match point at 5-4 30-40, having lost the first 6-0 and been a break down in the third. And she has the chance to put away a backhand at net … only to telegraph it, allowing Montgomery to hit into space and save herself.
Virtanen makes 40-15, rains down a big serve, and Shelton can’t return it. That completes an excellent 6-4 set for the qualifier, who won 100% on points when landing his first delivery, and we’ve also reached the end of a set on 14, Wendelken saving the point for a double break before being broken anyway. Royer leads 4-6 6-3 6-3.
There’s not much to choose between the players on No 2 but, down break point, Shelton runs in to lift a forehand down the line … and it’s wide, meaning Virtanen will shortly serve for the first set. On No 1, meantime, Fritz and Lajovic are under way, while Wendelken is down set point to Royer, serving at 1-1 3-5 30-40.
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I’ve switched off De Minaur-Burruchaga to take in some Day-Keys but, in case anyone was wondering, yes Roman Andres is the son of Jorge.
I’m afraid Mr Wendelken might soon be back in his rocking chair, Royer breaking him to lead 1-1 4-3; brilliant hitting from Paolini, moving Montgomery around, allows her to save break point at 4-4 in the third; and Keys has forced a third set against Day.
There are bare Italians on Court 12, all whooping and hollering because Paolini has just broken Montgomery back for 4-4 in the third. It’s a really good match, this, while elsewhere, De Minaur has broken Burruchaga back for 3-3 in the first; Virtanen and Shelton are 4-4.
Can someone please confirm that Wendelken’s locker-room nickname is “Mr”? Thanks in advance.
Otherwise, he and Royer are level at 1-1 3-3.
Montgomery consolidates, then Paolini holds for 3-4 in the third, while Sakkari has dispatched the no 24 seed, Tauson beaten 3 and 3. Next for her: Kalinina or Rakhimova, the latter up 1-0 in the third.
Oh, Paolini nets and Montgomery has the third-set break at 3-2; the no 13 seed is in trouble. Elsewhere, on No 1, Fritz and Lajovic will soon be out, then Centre gets going half an hour later, at 1.30pm BST.
I know Alcaraz is missing, so all the seeds have moved up one, but Ben Shelton at four sits strangely with me. He’s got talent, of course, but the fourth-best player in the draw? That’s a reach, and I’d not be at all surprised if he loses to Mensik, his fourth-round opponent should both progress – though al Mensik’s half of the section are Fils, Berrettini and Dimitrov, so he’s much work to do.
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Oh, and yet another Brit is now under way, Arthur Fery level with Damir Dzumhur at 1-1.
Keys has broken Day in set two to trail 6-7 4-3, and if that one goes to a third I’ll really want to find a way of watching it; Halys leads Arnaldi, beaten semi-finalist at Roland Garros, 2-1 with a break; Majchrzak now leads Tabilo, a clay-court specialist but no 30 seed, 6-3 7-5 4-3 with a break; Kenin has beaten Marcinko 7-6 6-4; with Michelsen and Fearnley at 2-2 in the first.
So around the courts we go. Shelton leads Virtanen 2-1 on serve; Royer has levelled against GB’s Wendelken at one set all, and it’s 1-1 in the third; Paolini and Montgomery are level at 2-2 in the decider; and Burruchaga leads De Minaur 2-0, the Demon having seen his fiancé wiped off the same court just a few minutes ago. Those are the matches I’m watching.
Back to Anisimova, she said it’s not easy playing a qualifier, as they’re in form having won matches to reach the tournament proper, but she feels good.
It feels amazing to be back, all the great memories, and she’s trying to carry the vibes from last year, enjoying every day. Any distraction she can get is great for her as grand slams are stressful and you don’t just wan to focus on the tennis.
Ah man, that was so good to see – elite sport is a cruel, brutal endeavour, and Swan was thinking about giving it all up now that long ago, but she persevered and enjoys the moment with her people in the crowd. I can’t begin to imagine how she’s feeling, mainly because it’s a way most of us will never experience, but I’ll tell you this much: it looks pretty good.
Katie Swan beats Irina Begu 6-4 6-4
What a win for Swan, the first Brit into round two and what great reward for all the pain, frustration, fear and doubt. Next for her it’s Day or Keys, Day currently leading 7-6 2-1.
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…and Swan immediately takes control of the rally but she’s tentative trying to finish it, then the error comes. No matter: Begu goes long from the back, and match point number five is imminent, my concentration disturbed by a soul-curdling roar from elsewhere – Paolini breaks Montgomery to level at one set all.
…tells. Swan tightens on the forehand, sending one long, and to deuce we go. Meantime, Montgomery has broken Paolini back in set two to lead 6-0 4-5 … oh, and Begu nails a winner down the line for advantage. So Swan hammers down a service winner, and that’s very impressive behaviour … and she follows it with another. Here comes match point number four…
Begu comes in, Swan tries to pass her, it’s a pretty good effort … but the stretch-volley is excellent. 40-15, then 40-30, and that’s two match points burned. Pressure…
Swan’s had a terrible time with injury – not that long ago, she was unranked, having to fight her way back simply to compete. And she did, so she’s here, sending down a slow second serve … that Begu overhits on return. And 15-0 is soon 40-0, all that pain and suffering leading to this point that she must’ve feared she’d never reach. Can Swan serve it out?
Also going on:
Begu holds so, after a sit-down, Swan will serve for the match.
Next no No 3: Alex de Minaur (5) v Roman Andres Burruchaga.
Next on No 2: Otto Virtanen v Ben Shelton (4).
We’ll do the interviews shortly, but out on 16, Begu is serving to stay in the match against Swann, down 4-6 3-5.
Tyra Grant beats Katie Boulter 6-4 6-2
There’s no other way to slice it: that was a hiding, and the biggest win of Grant’s career; I cn’t wait to see how she does from here. Boulter, meanwhile, who beat Rybakina at Queen’s, will be so disappointed, but she’ll know she didn’t turn up today. Next for Grant: Gibson or Bouzkova, Bouzkova currently leading 6-1 1-3.
Updated
Amanda Anisimova (6) beats Lina Gjorcheska 6-3 6-2
A domineering performance from the beaten finalist in last year’s competition – and US Open. She belongs at this level and she knows it; though her season hasn’t gone as she’s have hoped, do not sleep on her here. Next for her: Kenin or Marcinko, Kenin currently leading 7-6.
Updated
Our top two matches look and feel almost over: Anisimova is serving for the match against Gjorcheska at 6-3 5-2, while Boulter is now down a set and a double-break at 4-6 2-5, the 18-year-old qualifier Grant about to serve for the match.
So I’m already watching Anisimova, and Boulter; to that, I’m going to add Paolini and Swan.
Updated
Anisimova is almost into round two, up 6-3 5-1 on Gjorcheska; Boulter, bidding to be the first Brit to win a match at this year’s tournament, trails Grant 4-6 2-4; Montgomery leads Paolini 6-0 1-3; Keys and Day are playing a first-set tiebreak; Sakkari leads Tauson 6-3 4-3 with a break; Majchrzak leads Tabilo 6-3 3-4; and in other, better Brit news, Wendelken leads Royer 6-4 1-2 and Swan leads Begu 6-4 3-2 with a break
Updated
Righto, let’s begin with some latest scores, then we’ll talk about where eyes are best allocated…
Preamble
Wotcha one and all and welcome to Wimbledon 2026 – day two!
As you’d expect, we’ve a faintly daunting and thoroughly thrilling banquet of tennis awaiting us today, so let’s dig right in.
Early doors, last year’s double-bagelled finalist, Amanda Anisimova, gets herself and that work-of-art backhand going, with Katie Boulter also up first. Others in action are Jasmine Paolini, Madison Keys and Donna Vekic, while Maria Sakkari’s match with Clara Tauson has the potential to be a highlight.
Then, when No 1 gets going, Taylor Fritz takes on Dusan Lajovic – it was meant to be the bone-bruised Jack Draper – while on Centre, Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, meets doubles specialist, Taylor Townsend.
But it’s second on No 1 that really looks like the match of the day, Elena Rybakina, a former winner and this year’s second-favourite, drawn against Loïs Boisson, surprise semi-finalist in last year’s French Open.
Then, if to that, we add Alexander Zverev’s first appearance, along with those of Ben Shelton, Eline Svitolina, Alex de Minaur, Marta Kostyuk and the in-form Jakub Mensik, we know we’re flying – but of course that’s not the size of it. Jacob Fearnley meets Alex Michelsen in a match that has five-set epic written all over it; the surging Arthur Fils returns after injury; Griggzy Dimitrov, so unlucky to injure himself last year when two sets up against Jannik Sinner is back; Flavio Cobolli meets Mariano Navone; and No 1 finishes for the day with an aesthete’s banger, the great Stan Wawrinka beginning his final campaign against Mario Berrettini.
We have, though, kept the best till last: the Queen returning to her palace! Yup, four years since her last appearance, Serena Williams, the seven-times champion and greatest of all time, is back at the age of … 44 – ! – and will close out the action on Centre, facing Maya Joint for a place in round
Or, put another way, of all the things going on in the world today, the most exciting, the most affirming and the most inspirational is coming right up – at SW19 and in these pages. This is going to be very, very special. Here we go!
