Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic began their Wimbledon campaigns in dominating fashion, powering into the second round at the All England Club on Tuesday.
Nadal, bidding to complete a third French Open/Wimbledon double this year, thumped 127th-ranked Israeli Dudi Sela 6-3 6-3 6-2 on a sultry Centre Court.
🏆 2008
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
🏆 2010
❓ 2018
It’s showtime for @RafaelNadal… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/dYjjuFOlRk
"Good start. Good result. Of course I did things very well, and other things that I have room to improve," Nadal, who faces 77th-ranked Mikhail Kukushkin next, said.
Djokovic, seeking a fourth title at the All England Club, beat Wimbledon debutant Tennys Sandgren of the United States 6-3 6-1 6-2 in windy conditions.
"It was one of those days you want to start well and get that first set under your belt and start to feel more comfortable," 12-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic said.
"I didn't want to give him an opportunity to come back to the match. I do feel good, it's quite refreshing and I'm looking forward to see how I progress in this tournament."
Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova lost in the first round for the first time in her career after a 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-4 defeat by Russian compatriot Vitalia Diatchenko.
Maria Sharapova is OUT in the first round at #Wimbledon.
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 3, 2018
Vitalia Diatchenko has won 6-7 7-6 6-4.
👉 https://t.co/4vSiaxmhbO pic.twitter.com/NnrSCakZto
Joining her in exiting the tournament was Czech Petra Kvitova, with the twice Wimbledon champion falling 6-4 4-6 6-0 to world number 50 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
Upset of the Tournament so far?
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Aliaksandra Sasnovich stuns Petra Kvitova in the first round, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-0#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5u6PrQWIlE
There were no hiccups for Simona Halep as the top-seeded Romanian eased past Japan's Kurumi Nara 6-2 6-4 while defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain began with a 6-2 7-5 win over British wildcard Naomi Broady.
Top seed @Simona_Halep cruises to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Nara to move on to the second round of @Wimbledon ---> https://t.co/mHvR94FQog pic.twitter.com/9bu1hcu6tN
— WTA (@WTA) July 3, 2018
Highlights from day two of the Wimbledon championships on Tuesday (times GMT):
SHARAPOVA SHOCKED BY QUALIFIER DIATCHENKO
Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova crashed out in the first round at Wimbledon for the first time in her career after a 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-4 loss to Russian compatriot Vitalia Diatchenko.
A day of shocks continues...
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Qualifier @VDiatchenko has a day to remember at #Wimbledon by beating Maria Sharapova 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-4 pic.twitter.com/TKUc5zvtcl
DJOKOVIC SWATS ASIDE SANDGREN
Novak Djokovic was barely troubled as he moved past American Tennys Sandgren in straight sets and into the second round. The three-times Wimbledon champion, seeded 12th this year, won 6-3 6-1 6-2 in 93 minutes. He faces Horacio Zeballos next.
Dominant.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 3, 2018
Novak Djokovic beats Tennys Sandgren 6-3 6-1 6-2 to reach the second round of #Wimbledon
📺 @BBCTwo
📱 https://t.co/eS7UIYVx9l#bbctennis pic.twitter.com/LCXiY08ddG
BENCIC DUMPS OUT GARCIA
France's sixth seed Caroline Garcia crashed out following a 7-6(2) 6-3 defeat by Belinda Bencic.
Another top 10 seed falls.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
2013 junior #Wimbledon champion Belinda Bencic gets the better of No.6 Caroline Garcia 7-5(2), 6-3 pic.twitter.com/Oy0jqHgZ6z
Garcia had 26 winners to Bencic's 17 but also committed 24 unforced errors against the 21-year-old Swiss in their first career meeting.
HALEP MAKES SHORT WORK OF NARA
Top seed Simona Halep of Romania fired 19 winners and converted four out of 10 break points to ease past Japan's Kurumi Nara 6-2 6-4.
Back-to-back Grand Slam titles incoming?
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
⁰⁰@rolandgarros champion @Simona_Halep defeats Kurumi Nara 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/jQa0BMlc7K
The French Open champion needed 78 minutes on Centre Court to reach the second round.
KVITOVA CRASHES OUT
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova was broken three times in the decider when she was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-0 defeat by world number 50 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.
"It was a good match, but I can play better"
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Petra Kvitova's conqueror Aliaksandra Sasnovich clearly isn't short on confidence... #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/0eyJ24dAGx
The Czech committed 36 unforced errors as she lost an opening-round match at Wimbledon for the first time since 2009.
BAGHDATIS THROUGH AFTER THIEM RETIRES
Seventh-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem retired injured from his first-round match, trailing 6-4 7-5 2-0 to Marcos Baghdatis.
A sad sight to see as @rolandgarros finalist Dominic Thiem retires through injury, with Marcos Baghdatis progressing to the second round of #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/igO4Kb4KD8
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
EBDEN STUNS GOFFIN
Australian Matthew Ebden claimed his first victory over a top-10 opponent at a Grand Slam, beating 10th seed David Goffin of Belgium 6-4 6-3 6-4 in the opening round.
‼️Upset Alert‼️
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) July 3, 2018
David Goffin trails 🇦🇺 Matthew Ebden two sets to none. Can the 🇧🇪 pull off the comeback? 🤔
Let us know ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xNZAU37SQe
NADAL ROUTS SELA
Second seed Rafael Nadal booked a second-round spot at Wimbledon for the 12th time by beating Israel's Dudi Sela 6-3 6-3 6-2.
Nadal is bidding to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year for the third time and equal Bjorn Borg's all-time record of three back-to-back titles in Paris and London.
Nothing to see, just a @RafaelNadal no-look reverse smash 😮@HSBC_Sport Play of the Day on Day 2 was quite special...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/nFB2p01vMX
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
"Room to improve, but after a while without playing on grass it's very important to start with a straight victory," the 32-year-old Spaniard said.
"It's not easy, especially here on grass. The important thing is to be through, I prefer to win in straight sets than in five. Every victory gives you confidence, it doesn't matter how you win."
The first step to an 18th Grand Slam title…@RafaelNadal is through to the second round of #Wimbledon with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Dudi Sela pic.twitter.com/2OiHXNxSaO
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
ACE MACHINE KYRGIOS BEATS ISTOMIN
Australian Nick Kyrgios fired 42 aces on his way to a 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 6-3 victory over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
🚀 Alert!@NickKyrgios has broken his personal record of 37 aces from his win against Rafael Nadal at #Wimbledon in 2014. The 🇦🇺 has 40 so far, leading Denis Istomin 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 5-3. pic.twitter.com/j4yjBu8Qj9
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) July 3, 2018
DEL POTRO WELCOMES SHOT CLOCK PLANS
Argentine Juan Martin del Potro is ready to adapt to a 25-second serve clock as he thinks it is a great opportunity to cut down on time between points.
Round Juan complete.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Del Potro begins his #Wimbledon campaign with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Peter Gojowczyk ✔️ pic.twitter.com/kmLvot315O
"They are trying to make us faster," he told reporters.
"I think if this changes work for the fans, for the television, and for us as well, it could be a good opportunity to improve our game, too. We are trying to adapt to these kind of things."
Juan Martin del Potro improves to 9-0 in #Wimbledon first-round encounters.
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) July 3, 2018
Read More ▶️ https://t.co/Ba6zIehalL pic.twitter.com/DL5F4CSVgr
Fifth seed Del Potro eased to a 6-3 6-4 6-3 win over German Peter Gojowczyk.
ZVEREV RACES INTO ROUND TWO
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev won 15 of the last 17 games to see off Australian James Duckworth 7-5 6-2 6-0.
Powering through...
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Alexander Zverev is into the second round after coasting past James Duckworth 7-5, 6-2, 6-0#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/QuNjoXb3RQ
Zverev recorded his best Wimbledon performance last year by reaching the round of 16.
EDMUND CRUISES INTO SECOND ROUND
British number one Kyle Edmund beat Australian Alex Bolt 6-2 6-3 7-5 to reach the second round for a second consecutive year.
Game, set, match: Kyle Edmund! ✅
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 3, 2018
He's beaten Alex Bolt 6-2 6-3 7-5
Live @BBCRedButton 💻📲 https://t.co/eS7UIYVx9l#bbctennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/oXn2lg18YN
Edmund was pleased to wrap up the win in less than two hours and now hopes England could put away Colombia in the World Cup last 16 later on Tuesday.
"Everyone can get off to watch the England match tonight," he said.
"You've got to be positive. I'm positive for the guys today. The way they played in the group stages, it's anyone's tournament. All the best to England."
MUGURUZA EASES PAST BROADY
Defending champion Garbine Muguruza booked a place in the second round with a 6-2 7-5 victory over British wildcard Naomi Broady.
It's show court time!
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 3, 2018
Centre: Garbine Muguruza 🇪🇸 v Naomi Broady🇬🇧
Court 1: Kyle Edmund🇬🇧 v Alex Bolt🇦🇺
📻 @5liveSport
💻📲 https://t.co/cKqmv3xEiR#bbctennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XToSKTBYkm
NISHIKORI RECOVERS TO REACH ROUND TWO
Japan's Kei Nishikori overcame a mid-match blip to beat American qualifier Christian Harrison 6-2 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2.
Next up: Bernard Tomic@keinishikori seals his spot in the second round at #Wimbledon after defeating Christian Harrison 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 pic.twitter.com/TfCLrPADiy
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Up next for the 24th seed is Australian Bernard Tomic, who ousted Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the opening round.
HOME FAVOURITE KONTA ADVANCES
British number one Johanna Konta was made to work hard for a 7-5 7-6(7) victory over Russian youngster Natalia Vikhlyantseva.
Game, set and match: Johanna Konta ✅
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 3, 2018
The British number one is into the second round of #Wimbledon after a straight sets win over Natalia Vikhlyantseva.
📺 @BBCTwo
📻 @5liveSport
💻📲 https://t.co/eS7UIYVx9l#bbctennis pic.twitter.com/cAGvjd3YVQ
Konta last year became the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since 1978.
"First rounds are always tricky," she said. "Both players are trying to find their footing.
"I'm playing this championship independent of what happened last year. Last year gave me memories and valuable experience, but I’m older and a little wiser."
2017 semi-finalist @JohannaKonta hones her game against two-time Champion @Petra_Kvitova.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/589GZ6cezp
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2018
RECORD-BREAKER LOPEZ OFF TO FLYING START
Spain's Feliciano Lopez, making a record 66th consecutive Grand Slam appearance, reached the second round with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Argentine Federico Delbonis.
66, not out...
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2018
Congratulations, @feliciano_lopez 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/anfpIQ3QsC
Leave a Comment