Even if the rain came to Wimbledon, the first day still had some nice surprises, including an incredible match between Hubert Hurkacz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a somewhat rough first round for a Novak Djokovic who still set a record , a Belinda Bencic gone through all the moods and nice shots from Carlos Alcaraz or Andy Murray…
HURKACZ, MISERY! A huge match has already taken place: the 1st round Hubert Hurkacz-Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Pole – 2021 semi-finalist and recent winner in Halle – struggled to come back from nowhere (he lost 2 sets 0 and his opponent had 3 match points in a row) before… finally losing 10 -8 in the super tie-break, after a great show (6-7 4-6 7-5 6-2 6-7). His executioner, who had never won a match at Church Road with the pros after his junior title in 2017, released one of the biggest performances of his career, tearing himself up from the 4 corners of the field ; it’s the tennis we love!
THE CURSE OF HALLE… It is not good to triumph at the Halle tournament when your name is not Roger Federer. Remember that with the exception of Basel, all the players who have won in Germany since 2011 have immediately lost entry to Wimbledon. These are Kohlschreiber (2011), Haas (2012), Mayer (2016), Coric (2018), Humbert (2021) and now Hurkacz (2022).
DJOKOVIC LOSES A ROUND, BUT… Jostled at times by a cheeky Kwon, Novak Djokovic lost a round before finding his salvation. If the Serb has, again, given the impression of suffering physically, the fact remains that this dropped set is perhaps not as much a signal as some want us to believe. Reminder indeed: last year, “Nole” also lost a round immediately (against Jack Draper), before unwinding and losing only a second in the final against Matteo Berrettini. However, it is true that it does not seem as sharp to us as it was 12 months ago. But this giant continues to set records. By winning yesterday, he signed his 80th success at Wimbledon. He thus becomes the first player to have won at least 80 matches in the 4 major tournaments. Enormous.
BLACK DAY… Sad day for Swiss tennis, like the sky of London. Stan Wawrinka was logically released by (a very good) Jannik Sinner. Same verdict for Ylena In-Albon, who was playing his first match in a Grand Slam tournament, and no doubt learned things from his setback against Alison Riske. Belinda Bencic, meanwhile, avoided immense frustration. Led 6-4 5-1 by Qiang Wang, the Olympic champion suddenly realized that she was playing a Grand Slam tournament. In fact, she came back and then pocketed the 2nd set before the night interrupts the game. “BB” must absolutely conclude today, because a beautiful picture could open to her behind…
TIREDNESS! Benoît Paire is in deep depression. Broken in particular by the Covid context, which has long deprived him of spectators and emotions, the Frenchman can no longer take it. He said it again and again after his defeat against Quentin Halys: “At the moment, I have a disgust for tennis and I see people for it. I need it. I reject this sport. It disgusts me to enter a court. When I set foot on it, I want to run away. And then, I’m not necessarily happy in my life right now…“A touching confession.
THE WONDERS OF ALCARAZ… Carlos Alcaraz has not finished surprising us. Brave heart and handsome fighter, the prodigy from Murcia put his guts on the field, this time to get out of the trap set by Jan-Lennard Struff. Winner 4-6 7-5 4-6 7-6 6-4, the winner of the Masters 1000 in Miami and Madrid was forced to draw a few shots from elsewhere, like this one.
ALMOST NATURAL FALL… You should never chain the big results before a Grand Slam tournament when you are not used to occupying the front of the stage. What had already been verified many times in the past was confirmed at Wimbledon, where Beatriz Haddad Maia immediately took the door, beaten by Kaja Juvan. Reminder: the Brazilian came out of 2 titles (Nottingham and Birmingham) and a half at Eastbourne.
ALL THAT FOR THIS… Very fit at Roland-Garros (semi-finalist), Marin Cilic hoped to continue, he who was finalist at “Wimb” in 2017. It was without counting on an itchy nose. Positive for Covid, the Croatian had to say goodbye to his green dreams. Too bad for him and for the tournament.
MURRAY’S DETERMINATION… Under the eyes of mum Judy, who left a few pieces of nails in the spans of the Center Court, Andy Murray made All-Wimbledon happy by winning his ticket for the 2nd round in front of the annoying James Duckworth (4-6 6 -2 6-3 6-4). Tenacious, determined, the 2013 and 2016 winner even came out of his reserve by serving with a spoon. If the gesture did not surprise the Australian, “Muzza” still won the point. But he will have to be patient in the next round against John Isner.
THE NERVES HOLD… Discovered last year at Wimbledon where, invited, she had reached the round of 16 before performing a “crazy thing” at the US Open, Emma Raducanu knew she was expected for her reunion with London. Good news: the Briton held on to her rank (and her nerves) to win in 2 rounds ahead of Alison van Uytvanck.
Arnaud Cerutti – @arnaud_cerutti
