Key events<\/p>\n
And that is the end of my mini-sesh. Returning in my stead is Billy Munday, so I\u2019ll leave you with him while I try and sneak in some Brazil v Japan amid parenting duties and tennis-watching, See you in two.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka now leads Kostovic 5-1, while Auger-Aliassime is devastating Shevchenko 6-3 5-0. And on bad day for GB \u2013 there\u2019ve been six defeats and one pull-out, that being Jack Draper \u2013 but Oli Tarvet is still fighting down 2-1 4-4 against Rinderknech.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.01 EDT<\/p>\n Daniil Medvedev (8) beats Marin Cilic 6-1 6-2 6-4<\/p>\n That\u2019s a huge win for Medvedev, who played well \u2013 though Cilic did not \u2013 and next for him it\u2019s M\u00e9rida.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Oh! Down 0-2 4-5, 30-all, Cilic tamely nets a backhand and Medvedev has match point\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Still to come today, we\u2019ve got Wu v Djokovic (7), Linette v Andreeva (5), Korpatsch v Gauff (7), Muchova (10) v Zakharova and Nakashima (28) v Pinnington Jones.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Auger-Aliassime has taken the first set against Shevchenko 6-3; Medvedev leads Cilic 2-1 4-4; Krejcikova leads Klugman 2-0; Davidovich Fokina leads Cerundolo J, of Sinner\/Paris fame, 6-4 3-2; and Kasatkina leads GB\u2019s Xu 6-2.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m sure she\u2019s reading, so it\u2019s entirely appropriate to wish the wonderful Chrissy Evert all the best as she takes on cancer yet again. We\u2019ll miss her empathetic insight these next two weeks, but look forward to having her back again soon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Immediately, Sabalenka breaks and consolidates; welcome to the big leagues, Teodora old mate \u2026 who, as I type, is broken again to trail 0-3 in the first.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On Centre, Sabalenka is under way against the 19-year-old Kostovic. She\u2019s made four Wimbledon<\/a> semis but never a final; will this be her year? Well, she\u2019s won neither of this year\u2019s majors, losing to Rybakina in the Aussie Open final and collapsing against Daria Shnaider in Paris, but her best is still the best.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On 14, Struff and Baez are about to start one of the least surprising deciders we\u2019ll come across; on No 1, Medvedev has put Cilic over the knee and leads 6-1 6-2 3-2; Rinderknech leads Tarvet 2-1 2-1l and Krejcikova hasjust got under way against GB\u2019s Klugman.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cYou should be grateful we\u2019ve only got automated line calls, reckons Richard Hirst. \u201cHow long before we\u2019re watching AI clones of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk when they decide they want to win Wimbledon<\/a>? My pet hate? The fifth set tiebreak. My only visit to Wimbledon was in 1969 when I saw Pancho Gonzales and Charlie Pasarell in what was then Wimbledon\u2019s longest match. That kind of match creates memories.\u201d<\/p>\n I know what you mean, but can also see why Isner-Anderson killed it and, in tennis history, we\u2019re only talking about a few matches that went long that we couldn\u2019t do without.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On 15, Ethan Quinn, the young American who made round three in Melbourne and Paris, has beaten Luciano Darderi, the no 14 seed, 6, 5 and 2. That\u2019s a brilliant win; next up is Mochizuki, the Japanese qualifier.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Righto, I need to find another match to watch \u2026 and it\u2019s going to be Auger-Aliassime (3) 2-1 Shevchenko, with a break.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n She says Jacquemot waplaying amazing\u201d in the second set so she had to dig deep and is delighted to be through in two.<\/p>\n As for the dress, it makes a difference because she finds fashion fun, her Japanese heritage means a lot, Wimbledon<\/a> is all white, and so she wanted to come out in a kimono. She loves the film Kill Bill, referencing O-Ren Ishii\u2019s \u201ciconic white kimono\u201d and she likes to be a video game character sometimes, not herself on court, and so she tried to embody the character.<\/p>\n People don\u2019t believe her when she says she\u2019s shy, but this feels like exposure therapy and she\u2019s been more outgoing since the start of the year. It\u2019s good for her to get out of her shell.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n OK, let\u2019s do Osaka\u2019s interview\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Next on Centre: Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Teodora Kostovic.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sinner, wearing a top that looks like it was knitted by his gran, says it\u2019s a huge honour to open the tournament. This was his first appearance on grass, the third set was a tough one to lose, and it\u2019s a big honour to play in such an arena.<\/p>\n Asked about his fall, he says he\u2019s fine and the blood on his shoe makes things look worse than they are. He\u2019s not sure if it infringes the predominantly white rule, but didn\u2019t want to change as he and Miomir were both in rhythm.<\/p>\n There are a lot of nerves when you come down the stairs to Centre, he\u2019s very happy to win the first match and he\u2019s aiming to improve in the next one. He felt he made a lot of forehand errors in sets one and two but that\u2019s normal first-round matches are never easy, and he tried to raise his level when he needed to.<\/p>\n \u201cI was made to wear this,\u201d says Jannik Sinner. Photograph: Matthew Stockman\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.19 EDT<\/p>\n Jannik Sinner (1) beats Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6 6-3 (6)6-7 6-2 6-3<\/p>\n The champ blows away the cobwebs and looked strong in the final two sets. Next for him: Nuno Borges.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fonseca wlil be delighted to be off court so early\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Kecmanovic holds, meaning Sinner must now serve for the match at 5-3 in the fifth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Naomi Osaka (14) beats Elsa Jacquemot 6-1 7-5<\/p>\n Next for her comes Gasanova or Arango, and she looked excellent \u2013 on more ways than one.<\/p>\n Naomi Osaka eases through in straight sets. Photograph: Robert Prange\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.07 EDT<\/p>\n Sinner holds for 5-2 in the fifth, and Kecmanovic doesn\u2019t quite have the game to make it happen when it\u2019s tight. Meantime, Osaka has indeed broken Jacquemot and, at 6-1 6-5 have three match points\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Jo\u00e3o Fonseca (24) beats Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(4) 6-4 6-3<\/p>\n This is Bautista Agut\u2019s last Wimbledon<\/a>, so the two share a nice moment at the end. He\u2019s also the best footballer on tour \u2013 he was on Villarreal\u2019s books \u2013 a mantel that might soon pass to Flavio Cobolli. ext for Fonseca: De Jong or Hijikata.<\/p>\n Joao Fonseca beats Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.33 EDT<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a great effort, but Kecmanovic might be done for. Down 15-40, he nets a forehand, and at 4-2 in the fifth, Sinner is just two games from victory.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Back on Centre, Sinner leads Kecmanovic 3-2 on serve in the fifth; Osaka leads Jacquemot 6-1 5-5; Medvedev leads Sinner 6-1 3-2 on serve; Tarvet has just broken Rinderknech to trail 6-7 6-7 4-3; and Maroszan leads Tirante 7-5 3-1.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zheng thanks the crowd for their support, saying it\u2019s an honour to be part of a match like this, and it\u2019s every kid\u2019s dream. Asked about his composure, he says it\u2019s not easy but he tries his best not to show it \u2013 it\u2019s frustrating when you\u2019ve not converted chances, but he tries to keep things inside.<\/p>\n Wimbledon is \u201cfar and away the best tournament\u201d and he hopes to keep the run going in \u201can amazing place.\u201d<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait to see him in round two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Michael Zheng beats Cameron Norrie (26) (7)6-7 6-2 (2)6-7 6-3 7-6(4)<\/p>\n A brilliant performance from Zheng and the win of his life earns him a match with either Vallejo or Mejia next. He\u2019ll take that.<\/p>\n Cameron Norrie is out. Photograph: Kieran McManus\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.06 EDT<\/p>\n Oh, and humdinging forehand, backing away to the backhand side to go corner to corner, means Zheng has five match points at 9-4 in the match breaker!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zheng is playing a fine breaker, a pair of holds giving him 7-4, then an error from Norrie tajes him two points away at 8-4. This is an amazing show of big-match temperament.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A superb return allows Norrie to the net, where he puts away a volley to retrieve the mini-break at 3-3; on Centre, Sinner is playing fairly well, leading 2-1 in the fifth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It was coming: back on 3, Osaka breaks Jacquemot for 6-1 3-4, and the way she\u2019s playing from here she might well run away with it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Yes he can, and impressively so too. And Zheng also holds, with greater aggravation, meaning he and Norrie are now playing a match breaker \u2026 in which he leads 2-0 having been handed a double.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sinner holds for 1-0, also in the fifth, and this next game is a biggun. Can Kecmanovic force his way into the set with a hold?<\/p>\n Photograph: Glyn Kirk\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.48 EDT<\/p>\n Medvedev has taken a 6-1 set off Cilic, then held for 1-0 in the second; on two, Norrie leads 6-5 in the fifth and we\u2019re on deuce, Zheng serving.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMixed feelings watching the Sinner-Kecmanovic game,\u201d admits Simon Morris. \u201cLack of line judges makes the court tidier somehow, but the emotionless robo-calls lack sense of occasion \u2013 couldn\u2019t they have programmed it with authentic line-judge grunts and shouts? Call me a luddite, but that was part of the Wimbles experience.\u201d<\/p>\n I agree \u2013 I think I\u2019d prefer humans and errors than computers and perfection.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n In five-setters, Sinner\u2019s record is \u2026 6-12. In fairness, of those defeats, one came against Nadal, two against Djokovic, three Alcaraz, one Zverev and one Medvedev, but he\u2019ll know about it and who knows if it\u2019s spooking him a little. We\u2019ll soon see \u2013 having nipped off for a break, he\u2019s now back and we\u2019re ready to move.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As discussed, I\u2019ve got four matches on, so there\u2019s a fair amount of noise in my box room. But by far the loudest is coming from the commentary team watching Zheng v Norrie \u2013 they\u2019re absolutely loving the youngster\u2019s performance and prospects.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sinner gets to advantage \u2026 then Kecmanovic goes long on the forehand. That concludes a 6-2 set and as a consequence of clinching it with a break, Sinner will be serving first in the decider.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Wow, Zheng holds to love and actually, this has the feel of a match that could go a ridiculous distance, had we not inserted the match breaker into proceedings. Norrie is serving at 5-5 in the fifth; Medvedev leads Cilic 5-1 in the first; having taken the first 6-1, Osaka now trials Jacquemot 3-0 in the second; Rinderknech leads Tarvet 7-6 7-6; and Fonseca is nearly home, up 7-6 6-4 5-2 on Bautista Agut.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Gosh, but Norrie then goes for too much, perhaps incited so to do by Zheng\u2019s ridiculous court-coverage \u2026 but again, his serve saves him. And from there, Norrie serves out, roaring at the crowd; he leads 5-4 in the fifth, and now has a chance to break for the match. Sinner meantime, has consolidated for 5-2 in the fourth; we look headed for a decider.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n OK, Sinner lays a drop, Kecmanovic can\u2019t get it back, he has two break points at 15-40 … and he only needs one, a forehand to the corner returned long while, on 2, a brilliant forehand winner from the corner means Zheng has break point at 4-4 in the fifth \u2026 but nets a return. This is a jazzer of a match \u2013 if you can, get it on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On No 2, Zheng is playing beautifully, saluting the crowd after a winner and holding through deuce for 4-4 in the fifth. He looks at least as fresh as the famously well-conditioned Norrie, and I don\u2019t think he\u2019ll bottle it as we near the finish line.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Osaka is far, far too good for Jacquemot, securing a 6-1 set while, on No 1, Medvedev has broken cilic early doors for 2-1 in the first.<\/p>\n Naomi Osaka (sans kimono) takes the opening set from Elsa Jacquemot. Photograph: Henry Nicholls\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.33 EDT<\/p>\n Back with the champ, he\u2019s up 2-1 in the fourth, on serve, but Kecmanovic will take some breaking. He\u2019s not, actually, the kind I\u2019d expect to give one of the greats grief \u2013 he\u2019s decent all round, but lacks big weapons. For now, though, he\u2019s playing pretty much as well as he can, levelling at 2-2 in the time it takes me to type out this post.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Osaka is into it now, leading Jacquemot 4-1 in the first. I don\u2019t think she can win the competition without first improving her volleying, or at least incorporating net-play into her game, but she\u2019s capable of beating anyone on any surface in a one-off; including Aryna Sabalenka<\/a>, whom she\u2019s seeded to meet in round four.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Like the group stages of the World Cup, the first week of Wimbledon<\/a> isn\u2019t really about the favourites, rather the surprise classics and upsets. But if Sinner were to lose here, we\u2019d be talking about one of the biggest first-round shocks of all time; two others bigguns that come to mind, Dooohan beating Becker in 1987 and Dustin Brown seeing off Nadal in 2015, were in round two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Righto, let\u2019s have a look around the courts. Norrie leads Zheng 2-1 in the fifth, on serve; Osaka leads Jacquemot 2-1; Rinderknech leads Tarvet 7-6 3-4; Fonseca leads Bautista Agut 7-6 6-4 1-0; and Cilic is just about to serve in game one against Medvedev.<\/p>\n Cameron Norrie leads Michael Zheng in Court 2. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.11 EDT<\/p>\n Kecmanovic holds for 7-6, then a big forehand takes control of the next point, Sinner swats a backhand, he leaves it \u2026 and it\u2019s long! MIOMIR KECMANOVIC LEADS JANNIK SINNER, THE DEFENDING CHAMPION, BY TWO SETS TO ONE! WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Naomi Osaka makes a very stylish entrance<\/p>\n What a brilliant, brilliant woman. Osaka is already a superstar, but if she can just assert herself at the very top once more, she\u2019ll go stratospheric.<\/p>\n Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.03 EDT<\/p>\n Oh my days! An absurd rally doth ensue, Sinner in control, but then Kecmanovic gets back a drop, the return lob isn\u2019t high enough, and a backhand overhead allows him to eventually secure the point from there. This is terrific stuff and we\u2019re now at 6-6.<\/p>\n