Key events
Sinner* 4-6, 3-1 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): A wayward drifting drop shot from Sinner gives Kecmanovic three goes at game point. Sinner saves the first, scrambling to the net to whip a backhand across court, but sends a backhand long and Kecmanovic holds.
Sinner 4-6, 3-0 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): After a confident stroked forehand brings up 15-0, Sinner can’t get any of four serves (two lets, two faults) in on the next point. He makes no mistake with an overhead that pings into the crowd or an ace down the T to bring up two game points. Kecmanovic’s return off a second serve is into the net.
Sinner* 4-6, 2-0 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): It’s the Serbian’s turn to be a bit jittery on his serve. Sinner goes up through the gears to bring up two break points and Kecmanovic crashes one into the net as the Italian slips on the baseline. Relief for Sinner.
Sinner 4-6, 1-0 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): Better from Sinner. Kecmanovic sneaks a backhand down the line to level the first game of the second set at 15-15. Sinner allows himself a wry smile as he sends a backhand the other side of a retreating Kecmanovic for 30-15, then follows it up with a fizzing crosscourt backhand to bring up game point. An ace seals the game.
That was a very strange end to the set. Sinner looked like he was finding some rhythm when he held serve to lead 4-3 but a couple of double faults in his next service game opened the door for Kecmanovic, who then punished a string of Sinner mistakes to serve out the set.
ShareKecmanovic wins first set 6-4 against Sinner
Well, well, well. Kecmanovic forces an out-of-sorts Sinner into a couple of errors at the baseline. The Italian then whacks a forehand wide to concede an eighth point in a row … a backhand then goes into the net and Kecmanovic takes the first set!
Miomir Kecmanovic takes the opening set off the defending champ. Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 09.19 EDT
Sinner 4-5 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): Now then! A break for Kecmanovic, who comes from 40-0 down. Sinner doesn’t mess about at the start of the service game, with another ace off a kicking second serve at 30-0. Kecmanovic digs deep to save a couple of game points before Sinner rattles a nervy second serve into the net. At deuce, another double fault brings up break point for Kecmanovic … and then Sinner hits the net with a forehand!
Sinner* 4-4 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): Another strong service game. Sinner bats one backhand return into the crowd off the rim of his racket. Kecmanovic makes up for a double fault by winning another short rally, but Sinner saves the first game point. He sprays a forehand long and wide and it’s another hold.
Sinner 4-3 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): The defending champion is finding his rhythm on serve. He peppers Kecmanovic with a 130mph first serve and then a flat volley to level things up at 15-15. A devilish second serve eludes Kecmanovic, who can’t get the next two serves back either.
Sinner* 3-3 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): Sinner hits the net after a string of exchanged forehands, then does the same twice more as Kecmanovic’s power tests the Italian. The Serbian brings a bit of variety to his game with a wonderful drop shot to wrap up the game nicely.
Sinner 3-2 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): Sinner executes a drop shot to perfection to go 30-0 up on his serve, then forces Kecmanovic very wide with a first serve and the Serbian sprays his crosscourt return just as wide – but out. Kecmanovic gets another return wrong and Sinner holds.
Sinner* 2-2 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): Kecmanovic powers a forehand down the line to go 30-15 up, then breaks Sinner’s resistance on the backhand to bring up game point. The Serbian sends a crosscourt backhand just wide of the line but Sinner’s return on the next point is long. Both players have lost just one point on their first serve so far.
No 1 Court: Harriet Dart fought back a bit in the first set against Jelena Ostapenko after an early ankle problem but went down 6-3.
No 2 Court: Cam Norrie has won a thrilling first-set tiebreak against Michael Zheng.
Sinner 2-1 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): A far from straightforward hold. Sinner sends a backhand just long and then pushes one into the net, opening the door for Kecmanovic at 0-30. An ace down the T settles the nerves … but only until a big miss down the line after a Kecmanovic return kicked up nicely. Another ace saves the first break point and a stroked crosscourt forehand saves the second. A wild overhead at the net costs Kecmanovic another crack at break point and Sinner eventually wraps the game up.
Sinner* 1-1 Kecmanovic (*denotes server): Sinner puts down a marker on Kecmanovic’s first service point with a backhand winner. The Serbian demonstrates his power with a forehand down the line that forces an error and gives him a 30-15 lead. Sinner hits the net off a first serve and then goes long with a backhand. A good response from Kecmanovic.
Photograph: Victoria Jones/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 09.03 EDT
Sinner 1-0 Kecmanovic* (*denotes server): Kecmanovic prods Sinner’s first serve into the net. The Serbian’s second return is in but Sinner makes him work around the court and a looping backhand drops wide. Sinner drops his first ace of the game to bring up 40-0. Kecmanovic’s return on a second serve eludes Sinner to save the first game point but he hits the net during the next rally. A strong start from the defending champion.
Jannik Sinner walks on to a full house at centre court as he begins the defence of his first Wimbledon title. Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic is his opponent. A jet-setting David Beckham is in the royal box with his mum. He gets everywhere at the moment. Mary Berry wants a picture.
There is a certain amount of pressure on the world No 1, not only because he is the defending champion for the first time but because of what happened at the French Open. The Italian was nailed on for that title but wilted in the second round against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, losing a 30-match winning streak in the process. Like at Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz is not in SW19 owing to a wrist injury – there’s no doubt it’s Sinner’s to lose.
Sinner has won all four matches on tour against Kecmanovic, not dropping a set. They met in the third round here two years ago, with Sinner winning 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
Zheng times his first break of the match perfectly to deny Norrie his first opportunity to take the first set and it’s 5-5.
Dart is back out on No 1 Court after ankle treatment but is now another break down against Ostapenko, 0-4.
Michael Zheng fights back to stay in the first set against Cam Norrie, who was 0-30 up leading 5-4 but now has to serve out the set on No 2 Court.
Harriet Dart has taken a medical timeout and is receiving treatment from the physio on her left ankle. She is 0-3 and a break down to Jelena Ostapenko on No 1 Court.
More first-round results to bring you …
Men’s singles:
J Brooksby (US) bt A Vukic (Aus) 7-6 (7), 6-1, 6-1
S Mochizuki (Jpn) bt M Basing (GB) 6-3, 6-0, 6-0
Not what Max Basing will have been hoping for on debut at his home grand slam.
Women’s singles:
I Jovic (US, 16) bt J Cristian (Rom) 7-6 (1), 6-0
Well, that was fun. Elsewhere, play is under way on No 1 Court with Jelena Ostapenko holding in the first game against Britain’s Harriet Dart. Cam Norrie is a break of serve up against Michael Zheng in the first set (4-2) on No 2 Court. Jannik Sinner is preparing to walk out on to Centre Court to start the defence of his title against Miomir Kecmanovic.
“It was a really tough match. Felix played really well throughout the whole match,” says a magnanimous Rafa Jodar, in very good English. “I wish him the best for the rest of the season.”
double quotation markPlaying on grass is always special. Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious tournaments and I’m really grateful to play here in front of so many people.
double quotation markI think my game is good on the surface but I haven’t played much on it so I have to get used to it – that’s why I came here early to Wimbledon.
The 19-year-old will face his fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in round two – Denis Shapovalov retired after the first two sets of their match on Court 6.
Felix Gill takes the applause from the crowd and Rafa Jodar as he leaves the court after a very decent first match in the main draw at Wimbledon for the 24-year-old British wildcard.
ShareRafael Jodar beats Felix Gill 6-3, 6-3, 7-5
It’s all over before the tiebreak. Patient play from Jodar forces a couple of errors from Gill to make it 15-30. Jodar shows his class in the following rally to coax the ball out of a charging Gill’s reach. Match point is just as well executed, as Gill sends a forehand long, but it’s all about the Spanish youngster. How far can he go on his Wimbledon debut?
Jodar 6-3, 6-3, 6-5 Gill* (*denotes server): It’s a comfortable hold for the Spaniard as a couple of wayward shots from Gill puts the pressure straight back on him. Will we get a tiebreak or does the wildcard’s debut end here?
Jodar* 6-3, 6-3, 5-5 Gill (*denotes server): Jodar gives a thumbs-up after a worldie of a crosscourt backhand from Gill puts him 30-15 up on his serve. A solid first serve at 40-15 is too much for Jodar to handle and Gill fights on.
Jodar 6-3, 6-3, 5-4 Gill* (*denotes server): The Spaniard moves to within one game of the second round as Gill sends a forehand long off Jodar’s serve at 40-0. The 24-year-old British wildcard is now serving to stay in it.
Updated at 07.55 EDT
Jodar* 6-3, 6-3, 4-4 Gill (*denotes server): After Jodar holds, another Gill service game goes to deuce multiple times. Gill saves one break point and powers in a couple of first serves to force Jodar into a errors.
Updated at 07.52 EDT
A reminder of what’s coming up on the show courts (all times BST):
Centre Court (1.30pm start)
J Sinner (Ita, 1) v M Kecmanovic (Ser)
A Sabalenka (1) v T Kostovic (Ser)
Y Wu (Chn) v N Djokovic (Ser, 7)
No 1 Court (1pm start)
J Ostapenko (Lat) v H Dart (GB)
M Cilic (Cro) v D Medvedev (8)
M Linette (Pol) v M Andreeva (5)
Emma Raducanu was due to be first up on No 1 Court but has had to pull out of her match against Antonia Ruzic owing to injury.
Jodar* 6-3, 6-3, 3-3 Gill (*denotes server): Both players hold serve relatively comfortably, with Jodar sending a forehand wide at 40-0 on Gill’s serve.