Wimbledon - Zverev progresses easily at Wimbledon - Siegemund defies the rain
Alexander Zverev started his journey towards his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon with an undefeated opening win. The tennis Olympic champion defeated Spanish player Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets 6:2, 6:4, 6:2 and advanced to the second round of the grass-court classic. Zverev will face Marcos Giron from the USA or British player Henry Searle on Thursday.
"I'm happy with how I started the tournament," said Zverev, who lost the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz about three weeks ago and considers himself a title contender in Wimbledon. He feels that if he catches two great weeks on these beautiful courts, he can achieve a lot. "I hope I am that person." He feels better on grass this year and hopes to show it in the upcoming matches.
Three German tennis men in the second round
Under the closed roof on the second largest Wimbledon court, Zverev had everything under control against the world number 64 born on Tenerife from the start. With his powerful serves and heavy groundstrokes, the world number four laid the foundation against the Spaniard, who feels comfortable on clay courts. Thanks to quick breaks in all three sets, Zverev left no doubts about his progress.
Zverev is the third German participant in the men's competition to have a chance to reach the third round at the third Grand Slam event of the year. Laura Siegemund set the tone for the German start for the women and reached the second round as the first.
Rain does not bother Siegemund
Zverev did not have to worry about the weather under the roof on Court 1 - unlike Angelique Kerber, who had to wait longer for her first Wimbledon appearance as a mother. And unlike Siegemund, who was also assigned to one of the outdoor courts. Two rain interruptions did not stop the Schwaeblin, and she convinced with a 6:4, 6:1 win against Kateryna Baindl from Ukraine. Siegemund took the bad weather more calmly.
The referee interrupted the match in the first set, as the court was wet and Siegemund had slipped during a volley. After Siegemund's first set win, the helpers removed the nets and planned the courts. "That's just normal here that there are rain interruptions. If that bothers you, you're in the wrong place," commented the doubles specialist.
Siegemund faces a much more challenging task in her bid for a place in the third round, as she takes on Wimbledon champion of 2022, Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan. "There's not much tactics against such players. It's about holding up to the massive pressure that comes with the serve and return," said Siegemund. "I don't have anything to lose – especially not on grass." The fact that she is a world-class player is beyond question.
Emotions for crowd favorite only in doubles
Andy Murray's heartfelt wish for a final singles appearance at his home Grand Slam before his probable career end in this summer did not come true. The 37-year-old, two-time Wimbledon champion, lost the battle against time and withdrew from his scheduled Centre Court match on Tuesday morning.
The former world number one had a cyst removed from his back, which affected his feeling in his leg. He was "extremely disappointed," according to a statement. Nevertheless, it had to be for him at Wimbledon - with his brother Jamie Murray, Andy Murray is set to compete in the doubles.
- Despite his recent loss in the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev views Wimbledon as a potential venue for his first Grand Slam title, hailing from Great Britain.
- The International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament, Wimbledon, features multiple Grand Slam participants, including Alexander Zverev from Germany and Laura Siegemund representing Germany and Great Britain in the women's competition.
- Following his opening win, Zverev will face either Marcos Giron from the USA or Britain's Henry Searle in the second round of Wimbledon, a prestigious Grand Slam tournament held in London.
- With three German tennis players advancing to the second round, Wimbledon has seen a strong presence of international players from various countries, including France, Spain, and Kazakhstan.
- In the heart of London, Alexander Zverev aims to thrive on the grass courts, much like his countryman Boris Becker, who won Wimbledon three times, and continue the legacy of notable German tennis players at the renowned Grand Slam event.
