Last Updated:
Jannik Sinner overcame a bloodied foot and a five-set scare to begin his Wimbledon title defence, while Novak Djokovic battled past Wu Yibing on a dramatic opening day.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon (AP)
If there were any expectations of a comfortable start to Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon title defence, Miomir Kecmanovic quickly put those to rest.
The world No. 1 was pushed to the brink on Centre Court before producing a trademark fightback, overcoming both a bloodied foot and a two-sets-to-one deficit to defeat the Serbian 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 6-3 and book his place in the second round.
Sinner Survives A Bloody Battle
For a while, an opening-round upset looked very real.
Kecmanovic had Sinner under immense pressure and moved within a set of becoming just the third player in the Open Era to eliminate a defending Wimbledon men’s champion in the first round.
The drama intensified midway through the match when Sinner slipped awkwardly, injuring his right foot. The Italian screamed in pain before lying motionless on the grass, with blood visibly soaking through his all-white shoe.
Yet the 24-year-old somehow regrouped.
Winning his first five-set match in his last six attempts, Sinner completed a gutsy comeback in three hours and 28 minutes to keep alive his bid for a second consecutive Wimbledon crown and a fifth Grand Slam title.
Reassuring fans after the match, Sinner brushed aside concerns over the injury.
“I’m good. It just seems much worse than it is. I’m actually very surprised that they let me keep playing because my all white outfit turned into a little red! It is just a nail.”
The defending champion will next face Portugal’s Nuno Borges.
Djokovic Made To Work
With two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury, Novak Djokovic remains one of Sinner’s biggest threats.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion, however, endured a difficult afternoon of his own before overcoming China’s Wu Yibing 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in just over three hours.
The 39-year-old Serb, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title, admitted it was far from an ideal start.
“It was very challenging for me today. I’m feeling happy but not the freshest I guess. It didn’t feel like the first round to be honest.”
Djokovic will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in a blockbuster second-round clash.
Sabalenka Cruises, Osaka Shines
While the men’s favourites were forced to dig deep, Aryna Sabalenka enjoyed a far more comfortable afternoon.
The women’s world No. 1 brushed aside Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic 6-2, 6-3 in just 65 minutes to set up a meeting with American McCartney Kessler.
“Super, super excited to be back. It’s a special place, to play on this beautiful court,” Sabalenka said.
Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka turned heads with a kimono-inspired entrance before easing past Elsa Jacquemot in straight sets, while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff all progressed comfortably. Casper Ruud, however, became one of the biggest casualties of the opening day after crashing out to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
(with AFP inputs)
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
