Game On: Sports News, Highlights & Commentary
From our reporters at Wimbledon today.
Key events
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Zverev wins the second set 7-6, levelling Rinderknech at 1-1
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Fritz levels it, as Perricard blows his chance
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Boulter beats Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-4
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Badosa levels the sets with Boulter
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Galfi beats Dart 6-3 3-6 7-5
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Radacanu beats Xu 6-3 6-3
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Alcaraz survives five-setter, beating Fognini 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1
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Radacanu claims the first set 6-3 from Xu
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Spectator incident pauses Fognini-Alcaraz match
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Raducanu in action on Court No 1
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Fognini wins the fourth set against Alcaraz! We are going the distance!
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Alcaraz wins the second set 7-5! He leads Fognini 2-1
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Fognini takes a set off Alcaraz!
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Norrie beats Agut 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6
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Medvedev crashes out in angry fashion
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Tarvet, the lowest ranked man at Wimbledon, beats Riedi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4!
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Kartal beats Ostapenko 7-5, 2-6, 6-2!
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Ons Jabeur retires hurt!
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Kartal beats Ostapenko to the first set, 7-5!
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Wimbledon is officially underway!
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Preamble
Zverev wins the second set 7-6, levelling Rinderknech at 1-1
An epic tie-break to end an epic day at SW19, and a set point for Rinderknech. Zverev launches an ace down the line for 7-7. Then another, and Zverev has set point. Not for long. A big serve cannot be returned. 8-8. He does far better next time, and Rinderknech can’t reach the volley. Zverev can serve out. And with a punch of the air, he celebrates levelling it. And with that, all play is suspended at Wimbledon.
Big serving from Rinderknech and Zverev once again has to serve to save himself. He does so, and here comes the tie-break. Zverev wins the first point after a long rally. Rinderknech hits hardest to level it. He climbs to 3-2 up. But 3-3 follows. Zverev’s serve is looking more solid than it was. Then again, Rinderknech’s serve’s always been decent. And he chases one of his own down to 5-4 with the forehand. Then comes an error from Zverev at 5-5. A set point on the Rinderknech serve but he can’t control his forehand from the baseline when it skids up.
We conclude the night by visiting a match that surely won’t be finished. Zverev must hold his serve to not go two sets down to Rinderknech. It’s 30-0 on the German’s serve. Now 30-30. Play will stop at the end of this set. Big serve, and it’s 40-30. Next a feathered drop and it’s deuce. Zverev is a troubled soul. And he coughs up a set point as Rinderknech goes on the offensive, but then misses a backhand. Zverev holds…and it’s 5-5.
Well, just as we were ready for a fifth set, and much to Fritz’s annoyance, the game has been stopped, and will be restarted tomorrow. The American is fuming, Perricard is rueful, knowing he could have won it. He set the fastest ever serve at Wimbledon. The ref is not too popular though there’s a long old bus ride to Southfields and Wimbledon for those left. Last orders in Wimbledon Village, too.
Fritz levels it, as Perricard blows his chance
Perricard shows he not just a hammer man, he also feathers a drop that sends poor Fritz sprawling. A mini-break lead of 2-1, followed up by an overhead for 3-1. Make that 4-1 with a missile of an ace. Fritz is blitzed. And then a rally sees Perricard come forward and Fritz slices his drop wide with a chopped backhand. It’s 5-1 and now it’s on the Frenchman’s serve. The first is saved for 5-2. Next, an even better rally where Perricard fails to scrape the ball over the net cord. 5-3, now 5-4. Three serves for Fritz to save himself. He levels it with another chop, down the line. 5-5. Wow. Now it’s 6-5 to Fritz, and Perricard must save himself. Perricard equalises with another missile. What a match. Perricard has the serve. Oh no, a double fault. Fritz has set point…and takes it. We go to five sets.
Perricard’s first return is a beauty but then he messes up his attempt to win a long rally. Next up, one hell of a lob for 15-30. Fritz is all at sea. Then comes 30-30 after some poor shot selection. And here we are, another tie-break. This is massive.
Perricard and Fritz reaches a vital point. It’s 4-5 and Fritz is serving to stay in the match. Can Perricard work him over? 30-0 says no. So does 40-0. Perricard will now serve to avoid a break. He goes to 30-0, and with a measured backhand, it’s 40-0. But suddenly, Perricard misses a very winnable shot, to hold serve. Fritz must serve to save himself once more.
Zverev and Rinderknech go to a tie-break. It’s a night for a tie-break, the Frenchman having held five break points. Rinderknech takes a 4-1 lead against a stone-faced Zverev, then 5-1. The German is not moving well on the grass. The Frenchman, by contrast, very much is. And wins a big rally by bullying Zvereb to claim set point with a squawk.
Fritz is serving for the third set Can Perricard stop him? Two set points suggest not, and the first is taken. The next set will see the barrage continue.
Fritz has a foothold, and it’s 4-3 in the third set, Perricard having been broken earlier in the set but just held his serve.
It’s 4-2 to Zverev against Arthur Rinderknech on Centre Court, under the roof and under the lights. It’s still hot out there.
Perricard’s serve is huge, and now Fritz cannot afford to be broken. It’s proper crash-bang-wallop stuff. Fritz’s serve is just as fearsome in holding his serve to love. 1-1 in the third set, the Frenchman is two sets up.
Perricard has taken the second set, on a tie-break. Fritz will need a five-setter to make it through. They’re under the roof on Court No 1.
There’s still games being played out there. France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is on Court No 1, and won the first set against Taylor Fritz. The late man on Centre Court is Sasha Zverev, who is taking on Arthur Rinderknech, another Frenchman, under the lights presumably, in the Newsnight slot.
That’s Boulter’s fourth defeat of a top ten player, and the smile is broad. “I just felt I had some really good juju going on there. I’m just happy to be in the second round. I was bricking it, I just tried to compete, hoped she missed. It happened and I am thrilled. This court is the epitome of what every young kid dreams of. I felt like a young girl again.”
That’s the shock of the day, and it went the way of a Briton. What a day it’s been for us in Albion.
Boulter beats Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-4
Big cheers for Katie at 0-15. Even bigger as she reads an overhead and top spins it home for 0-30. Second serve offers up a chance, and three match points. Badosa’s turn to wobble. The first sees an attempted winner fly wide. Two more to go. The second does the job, a low return cannot be returned. Katie Boulter is through! Centre Court rejoices at a seventh Brit winner of the day. The ninth seed is beaten by the British No 2.
Boulter wobbles at 40-0 up as a double fault and an unforced error shows her tightness. But Badosa nets, and now must serve to stay in the game.
Ashlyn Krueger 6-3 6-2 Mika Stojsavljevic is the final score, and the Ealing teenager gave everything against a high-quality opponent. She’ll be back soon, we hope.
Henman Hill/Murray Mound/Radacanu Ridge has become Boulter bank. She’s 4-3 up on Badosa, and two more games will see her cheered to the rafters by the gin n’ pimms massive. At 30-30 there’s a sniff of a chance before a kick serve means she cannot break, and now must hold. New balls are served. Badosa picks up a new racket.
From our reporters at Wimbledon today.
Naomi Osaka beat Australia’s Talia Gibson 6-4 7-6 (7-4) and goes through.
Boulter has broken back and serves with real determination, her wide eyes laser focused on the job. It’s quiet on Centre. It’s been a long, hot day. Wonderful rally to go 40-30 up, and a fine passing shot after some hard running. That’s woken them from their golden slumbers, their strawberry stupor. Still, deuce arrives. More fighting for Boulter to do but she holds. Still, a long long way to go.
Mika Stojsavljevic, the 16-year-old from Ealing who won the girls’ US Open, is a set down to Ashlyn Krueger in her SW19 senior debut. She’s just held her serve at the opening of the second set.
Big noise from Badosa as she has break points on Boulter’s first service game. But Boulter saves them to land at deuce. Now to hold? She has to face four break points, and Boulter saves with a crasher down the line. But then comes a double fault, and Badosa claims the break.
Badosa levels the sets with Boulter
Boulter has broken Badosa back, and it’s 5-3 as she follows up. Badosa must serve for the set, and does so with calm, going 40-0 up, and a fine winner.
Jacob Fearnley was full of regret after losing to Joao Fonseca: “I didn’t really know what to expect going in. I had a good time, maybe didn’t need to put so much pressure on myself before the match. I definitely think that could have played against me a little bit, the pressure I put on myself, the nerves that I had. Going forward, I think I could definitely deal with them a little bit better, maybe get off to a little bit better start, more confident start, I would say.”
Fonseca’s warm-up partner? Carlos Alcaraz.
More Radacanu reaction:, via the BBC “I’m super pleased to have come through that match. It is so difficult playing against another Brit in the first round. When the draw came out, I can’t say that I was loving it.
“Mimi [Xu] is a really dangerous player, she is so young and she has some amazing weapons at her disposal. I’m just so happy to come through that. I just want to thank everyone for their support, it was a really great atmosphere.
“I’m glad people were having fun today! I saw a champagne cork fly onto the court so cheers to you! It’s really nice to be back. I love the support and I love playing in this atmosphere. It’s my favourite tournament by far so I’m happy to get another match here.”
Roar from Badosa as Boulter wobbles, and a bad miss hands the Spaniard a break point and control of the second set. Badosa next holds the next game. 4-1 up. Boulter must battle back.
Jasmine Paolini is fighting hard, taking Anastasija Sevastova to a third set. Her opponent has taken an off-court medical timeout to regroup before taking on this third, deciding set.
Some brief Radacanu reaction to beating Mimi Xu. “I’m super pleased to have come through that match. It’s so difficult playing another Brit first round. When the draw came out, I can’t say I was loving it.”
Boulter duly took that first set 6-2, and is playing well. Now to attack that Badosa serve again. Her opponent is a big hitter, and holds, and is showing off her frustrations with her game.
Katie Boulter has got off to a steaming start, 5-1 up on Badosa, and has two set points, the first saved by a serve down the line. The second by speed around the court. Badosa has the advantage. Her serve is looking a bit shaky but that’s a big hold.
Some reaction from Carlos Alcaraz: “Playing the first match is never easy, I’ve been playing well on grass but Wimbledon is different. I tried to play the best I could but I would say I could be better. It was a great match.”
On British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in round two: “I saw his name when he qualified for the first time, he’s in the second round so he’s at a level. I will have to bring my best tennis to the match.”
Galfi beats Dart 6-3 3-6 7-5
Oh no, match point arrives for Galfi, arrives via a drop shot. The Hungarian is sent sprawling as Dart gives her all. They get to deuce, real plucky stuff. But it’s a fourth match point for Galfi. She will need second serve. And gets a let, too. But, Drat goes too long, and that’s the end for the British No 4.
Radacanu beats Xu 6-3 6-3
Some relief that was done. It wasn’t easy, and Xu gave so much. Plenty to work on for Radacanu who has a winning smile as she looks to her coaching team. Big applause for Xu, with Radacanu leading the acclaim. She will face Markéta Vondroušová, the 2023 winner.
Radacanu has a chance to see this out, at 30-30 on the Xu serve. The 17-year-old is a fighter – more to come from her, whatever happens here – and there’s a big roar as she holds. So, Radacanu has to serve this out. These are vital moments for plucky Brits.
Radacanu is 4-2 up now, having taken another break of serve. Meanwhile, Dart must face a break point from Galfi, and on second serve. That’s snaffled up and Galfi will serve for the match.
Dart has chance to see this out, if she can break Galfi, at 5-4 up but her opponent holds serve. So, back to the well they go.
Anastasija Sevastova has taken the first set from Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, last year’s runner-up. It’s with serve in the second set.
Two more British players in action: Harriet Dart is into the third set with Dalma Galfi where’s it going with serve. Katie Boulter is set to face Paula Badosa on Centre, having waited such a long time to follow Alcaraz on. Meanwhile, is the Radacanu serve going a bit wiffy? Two doubles in one game when it was previously locking Xu down. Xu claims a break point with an angled drive. And it’s claimed….back on serve. Epic stuff all over the court.
Radacanu breaks back…3-1 in the second set with Xu.
Alcaraz will face Oliver Tarvet, one of today’s successful plucky Brits, who had this to say about facing the defending champion: “As a kid, it’s what you dream of. I came here when I was a little kid. It’s what you work for. Obviously, it’s a pretty long-term goal. But for it to happen so suddenly has been really special. I’ve come here and not really set myself any expectations. I’m quietly confident that I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn’t an exception to that. Obviously, he’s done an incredible amount in the tennis world. He’s a difficult guy not to respect. But just go out there and try and treat it like another match.”
Alcaraz is just five months older than Tarvet, who’s been studying in San Diego while his opponent has won five slams.
We will have reaction from Alcaraz soon enough but back with Emma Radacanu we go. She’s got an early break on Xu, and with a huge roar. Then, Radacanu starts serving big, and she serves three aces in succession before Xu’s drop – unintended – catches her unaware. Both of them show good speed around the court and all of a sudden, it’s a break point, and Xu takes it, the break back. It’s 2-1 in the second set….
Alcaraz survives five-setter, beating Fognini 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1
Alcaraz begins with gusto, a huge serve. Next, a feathered drop shot, the type Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario once made her own. Fab hits back, with his wife, Flavia Pennetta looking on, to 30-30. The boy from Sanremo is all heart but he soon faces match point. The Italian nets, and that’s four hours and 37 minutes of a classic match completed.
Alacaraz wants this done quickly. 5-0 arrives to love. Fognini is shaking his head in personal agony. Never take Alcaraz to a five-setter. It will hurt. Perhaps for the last time, the Italian takes to the Wimbledon stage. He’s 38, you know. And he’s done just yet. It’s 30-30 after a forehand from Alcaraz proves un-returnable. But still, to cheers, Fabio whips a winner home. Now to meet the end?
Fognini and Alcaraz are back at it. The Italian stallion was 40-0 down but has forced back to deuce, only to make a further mistake. But Alcaraz takes the break, and it’s 4-0 in the fifth set, and the Italian shouts his curses into the Southfields sky.
Radacanu claims the first set 6-3 from Xu
Good evening, play is about to resume on Centre Court after that spectator incident. Radacanu and Xu continues, with the younger Brit serving big at 30-30, but then offering up set point with a missed chance down the line. She misses the next one.
I’m going to hand back over to John Brewin. Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of the day’s play. Cheers!
On Court No 1, Raducanu retains her break of serve, and leads Xu 5-3 in the first set. Raducanu has been battling a niggling back problem in recent weeks, with occasional spasms, but she seems to be moving freely here.
You can also read Simon Chambers’ match report on Sonay Kartal’s win over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko right here.
Remember the winner of Fognini-Alcaraz will progress to the second round to face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who remarkably shocked Leandro Riedi earlier.
Spectator incident pauses Fognini-Alcaraz match
The umpire has announced there will be a pause in play on Centre Court while medical staff attend to a spectator, who is experiencing some difficulty in the crowd. It’s unclear if this is due to the heat, or another issue.
Both players look restless at the pause but appreciative that safety is the priority. Alcaraz looks attentively towards the spectator, while Fognini takes shelter from the sun under the umpire’s chair.
Centre Court is not the only place where we find a five-setter. Out on court 14, Felix Auger Aliassime was toiling against the Australian James Duckworth, but the Canadian does have a break in the fifth set.
This is ridiculous! Fognini earns two break points with some scintillating backhands down the line. A sublime Alcaraz drop shot saves the first break point and Fognini fumbles the second break point. It was a slow, short second serve from Alcaraz, and Fognini bins his return halfway up the net. Another wasted chance! From there, Alcaraz holds to go 3-0 up in the deciding set. This suddenly feels ominous, but one can’t help feeling that this was another huge chance missed for Fognini.
Read the full story from the original source
