Wimbledon returned to full capacity for the first time in three years yesterday, and a spectacular sight it was. Of course, there was still the elephant in the room lurking (being that no ranking points were up for grabs and a lack of Russian and Belarusian athletes.) The fear was that players would skip the event, perhaps even lower ranked players playing challengers. However, I never felt that would be the case. As playing challengers is on order to improve your rankings so you can get the space in the Grand Slam draw, so why pass up the opportunity ?.Not to mention the healthy pay check received.
There was rain, thrillers and upsets all on show nevertheless, here are five main points from yesterday’s action
Djokovic doesn’t look himself in a tight opening round:
Novak Djokovic was forced to four sets on the opening centre-court tussle for the second consecutive championships as he defeated Soon-Woon Kwon. The Serb was broke early on and was being completely outplayed by Kwon. Winners galore it was, in typical style without much fuss though. the world no.3 turned the screw and reeled off five games to grab the opening set. Without even looking as though he had left second gear. Yet, a similar start to the second set wasn’t turned around as the Korean was victorious 6-4. Two narrow set victories followed and Djokovic progressed into round 2 and now faces doubles Australian open winner Kokkinakis.
It’s usual proceedings for Djokovic to grow into a tournament. It’s very rare for the six-time Wimbledon champion to play a build up tournament, it’s normal proceedings that he uses the opening week as a training session , almost. The best tennis always comes in the second week. Afterall, last season when he became champion he looked far from imperious against Britain’s Jack Draper. Although even then, the sets won were 6-1, 6-2 and 6-2. Yesterday though it just looked, bizarrely ordinary for his incredible standards.
Jabeur breezes through opening round
After losing in the opening round of Roland Garros, world no.2 Ons Jabeur was in no mood to repeat the same mistakes. It was a show of complete dominance and style as she dropped just four games all afternoon. With no Ashleigh Barty this Wimbledon after an abrupt retirement, mourners of last season’s winner should turn their attention to the Tunisian. Is she an Aldi version? Perhaps, although that’s still mighty impressive. The backhand slice, incredible drop shots and smooth groundstrokes are a match in heaven with the London grass courts and make for a stunning viewing.
Well over three times as many winners to her opponents figure, it was a real statement from Jabeur that she is ready to progress from last years quarter-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka, and with a steady twelve months of improvement you would have to wonder who would bet against her?
Raducanu return to Wimbledon is a victorious one
Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu shrugged off fears that fitness may hinder her chances of Wimbledon success this year with a comfortable straight sets opening day victory. Since the incredible 2021 story which saw her go against all odds and win the US Open without losing a set, and pick up Sports Personality of the year, she returned to Centre Court with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Yet, 2022 has been a far more tricky time for the British number one, which has had injuries, early losses and a lack of coaching stability a common theme. In a way yesterday was a clean slate to embark on a new journey.
Van Uytvanck wasn’t the kindest draw possible to come her way, as the Belgium is no fool on the grass.
With little to spilt the two it was consistency that was the telling factor. Despite the world no.11 hitting less winners, she also hit twelve less unforced errors which helped her see out the match 6-4, 6-4. World No 55 Caroline Garcia now faces her tomorrow on centre court, an opponent who you never know what you are going to get from.
After opening set difficulties Murray gets job done with “controversial” underarm serve
Having suffered an abdominal injury in a Stuttgart final against Matteo Berrentini, there were fears Andy Murray would have to skip yet another Wimbledon. Those fears only escalated when the Scot pulled out of his routine Queen’s open swing. Yet, watching him yesterday and you wouldn’t have been able to tell that this was the same Murray who had been restricted to moderate practice in the week leading up to London due to his fitness concerns.
Having said that, the opening set did look alarmingly shaky. Many times a week slice return would give Duckworth an easy favoured forehand approach shot to slot away. A frustrating sight it was as the 2013 Champion was effectively shooting himself in the foot time and time again.
When Murray broke in the second set he refused to look back winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-2. Much to Duckworth’s relief the roof was closed and a ten minute break occurred. Although, for his liking it was too late as he had already asked for a roof closure, claiming if his name was Andy Murray he would have been listened to. Murray did find it difficult to adjust, although went on to win the fourth set 6-4, 6-4. Now, he plays big serving John Isner tomorrow last on centre court, a less than easy task.
Yet, the controversy was the underarm serve. Murray explained it as a tactical move to bring Duckworth closer to the baseline when returning, as that was something he had been struggling with. While many will claim it is disrespectful, for me it is just a tennis shot. Context is key as well. Tactical benefits are evident if a player decides to be practically in row Z when returning, however if you’re Nick Kyrigiosing it every round, then I can understand the frustration.
Hurcakz keeps Grand Slam Woes continuing
The Halle curse continued to do it’s round as Poland’s Hubert Hurcakz was knocked out on the opening round by Spain’s Davidovich Fokina. Having won the Halle open just a week earlier confidence would have been sky high , yet one day was all it took for his Wimbledon dreams to capitulate. In fairness, it was far from an easy draw, after all Davidovich Fokina had reached a Masters 1000 final this season at Monte Carlo and has been one of the great improvers.
21 aces Hurcakz managed, yet only 60% of first serve points were won. That isn’t good enough to expect to win a match, especially on grass. Having lost the opening two sets he battled to back to bring it to a five set tiebreak. A marathon tiebreak it turned out to be as a 10-8 victory for the Fokina was the end result. He faces Czech Republic’s Vesely tomorrow.
Yet what this reinforces is the fact that Hurcakz underperforms in Grand Slams. For all his number ten ranking states, the record is far from glorious. Of the 17 grand slams he has played only on three occasions has he got by round two and overall has a negative win-loss ratio. It’s a stat last years semi-finalist will need to improve or his rankings will suffer.
Photo Credit :
By
Liam McBride
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Beyond The Score 
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