It wouldn't be Wimbledon without a lengthy rain delay, would it? That is exactly what transpired overnight as the weather quickly turned south just minutes after players stepped out onto court, resulting in a two and a half hour interruption.
Tournament organisers were left scrambling to congest an already tight schedule, perhaps another example of why bringing forward matches on centre court would be a wise idea.
Nonetheless, that didn't stop one Aussie from creating a memorable moment to add another comeback to his record.
Aussie Results: First Round: Thanasi Kokkinakis d. Felix Auger Aliassime 4-6, 5-7, 7-6(9), 6-4, 6-4 Second Round: Brandon Nakashima d. Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Carlos Alcaraz [3] d. Aleksandar Vukic 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2 Four match points saved in the third set tiebreak made Thanasi Kokkinakis’ comeback extra sweeter as he toppled a resurgent Felix Auger Aliassime in another five set epic to add to his collection. There is no hiding the fact that the South Australian relishes the big occasion, grinding his way on the court and demonstrating immense mental fortitude to return the extra ball that rattled Auger-Aliassime. Having competed for two consecutive due to a rain delay, the only downside is Kokkinakis’ physical condition as he now prepares to take on qualifier Lucas Pouille, as a date with Alex de Minaur looms in the third round. A mammoth assignment awaited Aleksander Vukic against reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, pushing the Spaniard in what was a competitive encounter for the most part. Alcaraz yet again found himself sweating in a first set tiebreak - an avoidable position after throwing away a 5-2 lead to then hand Vukic the chance to serve for the set which the Aussie couldn’t grasp. From there, Alcaraz found his composure and rhythm to run Vukic around the court with ease to drop four games en route to a straight sets triumph. Exactly one year ago, Jordan Thompson remarkably pulled himself out of the fire from a two set deficit against Brandon Nakashima to escape with one of the best victories of his career. The same script would need to be written for the 30-year-old to advance - once again finding himself down two sets facing the same opponent.
Nakashima, having achieved his best result at Wimbledon in the fourth round two years ago, served a ridiculous 98 percent of first serves in the opening couple of sets - proving to be one of those days where Thompson could hold his hand up and mutter, 'too good', as the Sydneysider was simply outclassed in all facets.
Men's Results: First Round: Quentin Halys d. Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 Emil Ruusuvuori d. Mackenzie McDonald 7-6(6), 4-6, 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 Roman Safiullin d. Francisco Cerúndolo [26] 6-7(5), 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 Karen Khachanov [21] d. Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(11), 2-0 (Walkover) Alejandro Tabilo [24] d. Dan Evans 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 Lucas Pouille d. Laslo Ðjere 3-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 Tomas Machac d. David Goffin 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(5) Arthur Rinderknech d. Kei Nishikori 5-7, 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2
Second Round:
Jannik Sinner [1] d. Matteo Berrettini 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4)
Daniil Medvedev [5] d. Alexandre Müller 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-5
Tommy Paul [12] d. Otto Virtanen 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4
Frances Tiafoe [29] d. Borna Ćorić 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-3
Fabio Fognini d. Casper Ruud [8] 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3
Ugo Humbert [16] d. Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(9), 6-1, 6-3
Alexander Bublik [23] d. Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-4
Miomir Kecmanović d. Tallon Griekspoor [27] 4-6, 7-6(7), 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
Roberto Bautista Agut d. Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Jan-Lennard Struff d. Zhang Zhizhen 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-6(8)
Italy may be knocked out of Euro 2024, but an all-Italian affair between Jannik Sinner and 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini sure had the Italian media in a frenzy.
Without a doubt the match of the tournament thus far, Sinner came up clutch when it mattered most, winning all three contested tiebreaks in a match where Berrettini broke four times compared to the two instances for the world No.1.
The Italian surge continues to thrive, this time thanks to 37-year-old Fabio Fognini who rolled back the years to take out eight seed Casper Ruud.
The Norwegian will be left pondering what could have been, wasting 10 break opportunities out of 11 - failing to surpass his second round best at Wimbledon despite claiming the third set from 2-5 and match point down.
A puzzling moment occurred during the first set tiebreak of Daniil Medvedev's second round match against Alexandre Müller when the former US Open champion sat in his chair trailing 3-6 assuming the set was complete.
It summed up the emotional rollercoaster the fifth seed tends to ride during the grass court season, but he managed to pull it together and see out the victory in four gripping sets.
Women's Results:
First Round:
Jule Niemeier d. Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-1
Camila Osorio d. Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-1
Danielle Collins [11] d. Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-6(4)
Beatriz Haddad Maia [20] d. Magdalena Fręch 7-5, 6-3
Katie Volynets d. María Carlé 6-2, 7-5
Elina Svitolina d. Magda Linette 7-6, 6-7(9), 6-3
Barbora Krejċiková d. Veronika Kudermetova 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 7-5
Second Round:
Coco Gauff [2] d. Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1
Maria Sakkari [9] d. Arantxa Rus 7-5, 6-3
Jasmine Paolini [7] d. Greet Minnen 7-6(5), 6-2
Sonay Kartal d. Clara Burel 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Emma Navarro [19] d. Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-1
Emma Raducanu d. Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2
Diana Shnaider d. Sloane Stephens 6-1, 6-1
Bianca Andreescu d. Linda Nosková 6-3, 7-6(5)
Lin Zhu d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [25] 6-4, 6-3
Donna Vekić d. Erika Andreeva 6-2, 6-3
Lulu Sun d. Yulia Starodubtstewa 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Dayana Yastremska [28] d. Varvara Gracheva 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Another scintillating display from world No.2 Coco Gauff ensured the American kept her record intact of failing to drop more than three games in this year's Championships.
Her 19-year-old opponent was an unknown proposition coming in, but Todoni stood her ground in the opening few games, hitting some powerful winners before Gauff's experience on the big stage did the talking.
From a British perspective, the fairytale sees no end in sight for 22-year-old Sonay Kartal to record her third three set win including qualifying. As a reward, next up in the third round is none other than Gauff - a genuine test to picture where Katal sits among the world’s best.
Meanwhile, Britain’s golden girl Emma Raducanu swept past a tricky and experienced Elise Mertens to set a clash with ninth seed Maria Sakkari in what is a winnable game for the 2021 US Open champion.
CATCH ALL THE ACTION ON STAN SPORT.
Comments