Wimbledon Day One Recap: Djokovic Advances, Raducanu Shines in Centre Court Debut

June 27, 2022 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
USTA1280265_20210909_USO_Day11_ADC06704
Photo Credit: Darren Carroll/USTA

 

The first day of the 2022 Wimbledon main draw got underway on Monday, and defending champion Novak Djokovic was tested but was able to advance to the second round.

The Serb dropped the second set to South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon but did move to 17-0 in Wimbledon first-round matches by posting a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

“I’ve said this before but this court is truly special,” Djokovic said of Centre Court at Wimbledon. “For me, it has always been the court I dreamed of playing and winning on, and all my childhood dreams came true here so it’s an honor and pleasure to be back on Centre Court.”

Djokovic has won the last three Wimbledon trophies, and has won 22 consecutive matches overall on the London grass courts.

He will put that streak on the line against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis, who won his opener 7-6(2), 6-2, 7-5 over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak

Fifth-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz overcame Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, needing five sets to advance with a 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 win.

Americans Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe both pushed their way into the second round as each won their respective openers in straight sets. Tiafoe, the 23rd seed, defeated Andrea Vavassori 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, while Paul beat Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(4).

20th seed John Isner battled past France’s Enzo Couacaud 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

On the women’s side, second-seed Anett Kontaveit cruised past American Bernarda Pera 7-5, 6-1. The Estonian will meet Germany’s Jule Niemeier next.

U.S. Open champion and English native Emma Raducanu made her Centre Court debut on Monday, and overcame a 1-3 deficit in the second set to beat Belgium’s Alison van Uytvanck 6-4, 6-4.

“It’s an incredibly special feeling to be back,” she told the crowd. “I felt the support the minute I walked out. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me through the last year including the tough times. It’s all worth it to come through with a win. I know Alison’s an extremely tricky opponent. On grass where the ball stays so low it’s tricky to neutralise her great serve – she hits the ball really hard. I’m extremely pleased and looking forward to coming out in front of you guys again.”

Raducanu plays France’s Caroline Garcia next.

Third-seeded Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Sweden’s Mirjam Bjorklund to secure her spot in the second-round, where she will square off against Polish qualifier Katarzyna Kawa.

Alison Riske-Amritraj, the 28th seeded American, won 6-2, 6-4 against Switzerland’s Ylena In-Albon.

Click Here to see full results from Day One at 2022 Wimbledon Championships.

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition