Wimbledon Championships—London, England
World No. 3 and defending champion Novak Djokovic began his title defence in style on Monday at Wimbledon, ousting Soon-woo Kwon 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Needing two hours and 27 minutes to prevail, Djokovic hit 15 aces, won 54 percent of his first serve points and broke his opponent’s serve on four occasions.
Looking to win his 21st career Major during the fortnight, Djokovic will next face Thanasi Kokkinakis. No. 5 seed Carlos Alcaraz needed five thrilling sets to dismiss Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4.
Elsewhere, Casper Ruud picked up his first-ever victory at Wimbledon, while No. 9 seed Cameron Norrie and No. 22 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili also prevailed. Americans Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe also advanced to round two. Tournament favourite and No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz lost in five sets to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
On the women’s side, No. 3 seed Ons Jabeur made quick work of Mirjam Bjorklund 6-1, 6-3, while No. 10 seed Emma Raducanu, No. 28 seed Alison Riske and No. 29 seed Anhelina Kalinina also advanced. No. 7 seed Danielle Collins lost in three sets to Marie Bouzkova, while former winner Angelique Kerber advanced over Kristina Mladenovic.
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Tuesday’s action at Wimbledon will feature the return of Serena Williams to action. The American great will be vying for her 24th career Major. Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek and two-time former winner Rafael Nadal will also be in action.
First-round results:
(1) Novak Djokovic Defeats Soonwoo Kwon 63 36 63 64
(3) Casper Ruud Defeats Albert Ramos-Vinolas 76(1) 76(9) 62
(5) Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jan-Lennard Struff 46 75 46 76(3) 64
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Defeats (7) Hubert Hurkacz 76(4) 64 57 26 76(8)
(9) Cameron Norrie Defeats Pablo Andujar 60 76(3) 63
Dusan Lajovic Defeats (16) Pablo Carreno Busta 36 64 (RET)
(20) John Isner Defeats Enzo Couacaud 67(6) 76(3) 46 63 75
(22) Nikoloz Basilashvili Defeats Lukas Rosol 67(4) 76(6) 36 63 63
(23) Frances Tiafoe Defeats Andrea Vavassori 64 64 64
(30) Tommy Paul Defeats Fernando Verdasco 61 62 76(4)
Quentin Halys Defeats Benoit Paire 46 61 62 64
Ugo Humbert Defeats Tomas Martin Etcheverry 63 36 46 63 64
Thanasi Kokkinakis Defeats Kamil Majchrzak 76(5) 62 75
Adrian Mannarino Defeats Max Purcell 63 76(0) 46 46 64
Maximilian Marterer Defeats Aljaz Bedene 46 75 64 75
Jaume Munar Defeats Thiago Monteiro 62 64 75
Alejandro Tabilo Defeats Laslo Djere 76(6) 62 16 46 76(11)
Tim van Rijthoven Defeats Federico Delbonis 76(7) 61 62
Jiri Vesely Defeats Federico Coria 63 62 76(3)
