Defending champion Elena Rybakina survived a Center Court scare to reach the second round of Wimbledon on Tuesday. Rybakina defeated veteran Shelby Rogers of the United States 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in front of the watching Roger Federer, the retired eight-time champion who was a special guest in the royal box. The 24-year-old Kazakh arrived in London under a cloud after struggling with a virus that saw her suffer an early loss in Berlin before pulling out of Eastbourne.
“I feel much better, although it was not easy to get fit again,” said Rybakina. “I’m happy with the win and it gives me more confidence for the next round.”
Rogers, 31, had beaten Rybakina on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last year and was initially back in charge under the roof of Center Court when the All England Club was engulfed in torrential rain.
The champion made a double fault on the first point on her way to her brokenness. That was enough to give 49th ranked Rogers the basis to claim the opening set.
Suddenly Rybakina wanted to become the first defending champion to lose in the opening round since Steffi Graf was defeated by Lori McNeil in 1994. .
A double break in the decider then put her comfortably on her way to victory and a second round clash with either France’s Alize Cornet or Japan’s Nao Hibino.
Alcaraz in a ruthless mood
Carlos Alcaraz confidently began his bid for a maiden Wimbledon title on Tuesday as the world number one beat French veteran Jeremy Chardy. Alcaraz’s emphatic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory in the first round underlined his status as the main challenger to reigning champion Novak Djokovic.
The 20-year-old, who already has five titles to his name this season, is on form after winning his first grass trophy at Queen’s Club last month.
Although Alcaraz, who won the US Open last year, tops the world rankings, Djokovic is the man to beat in his hunt for an eighth Wimbledon title. The Spaniard is seeded to face world number two Djokovic in a blockbuster final at the All England Club.
Alcaraz, who made the last 16 at Wimbledon in 2022, was just five when Chardy played his first match at the tournament in 2008. Chardy, a former Wimbledon junior champion, will retire from singles tournaments after this year’s event.
The 36-year-old was no match for Alcaraz, whose potent combination of power, speed and an agile drop shot make him a formidable force on all surfaces. Under the roof of Court One, which was closed due to rain, Alcaraz refused to throw London-based Chardy a farewell party in front of his friends and family.
As the rain poured down on the roof, Alcaraz unleashed a barrage of booming forehands as he rushed through the first set in just 22 minutes.
Chardy finally got on the scoreboard in the third game of the second set, but Alcaraz kept his foot on the gas to seal a resounding victory.
In the second round, Alcaraz will face the winner of the all-French clash between Alexandre Muller and Arthur Rinderknech.
Two-time champion Andy Murray reaches second round
Two-time champion Andy Murray passed compatriot Ryan Peniston in straight sets to reach the second round of Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Former world number one Murray, who won his first Wimbledon title in 2013 and won a second three years later, came through 6-3, 6-0, 6-1.
Now ranked at 40, and playing with a metal hip, the 36-year-old had too much power and finesse for wildcard Peniston, the world number 268.
“It’s great to be back at Center Court,” said Murray.
“I started out pretty nervous, I was a little bit cautious, but once I had a break I played some good stuff. There were good signs.”
He added: “It’s been a long time since I felt this good at an event as the last few years have been challenging.
“Hopefully I’m fit and ready enough for a good run.”
Once Murray broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set under the roof of Center Court at a rain-soaked All England Club, there was little doubt about the outcome.
He swept through the second set after three breaks of service and was leading 2-0 in the third before Peniston stopped the bleeding.
It was too little, too late for Peniston as Murray broke again for 4-1 en route to his 199th Grand Slam victory.
Murray faces a tougher test in the second round, where he will face fifth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas or former US Open winner Dominic Thiem.
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