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 unbeaten opening win. The tennis Olympic gold medalist 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 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 at Wimbledon. He feels that if he catches two great weeks, he can achieve a lot on these beautiful courts. "I hope I am." 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 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. Quick breaks in all three sets allowed Zverev no doubts about his progress.
Zverev is the third German men's participant in the competition to have a chance of reaching the third round. Laura Siegemund set the tone for the German women's start 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 woman, and she convinced with a 6:4, 6:1 win against Kateryna Baindl from Ukraine. Siegemund took the bad weather in stride.
The referee had to interrupt the game in the first set due to rain, and Siegemund had just slipped at the net. After Siegemund's first set win, the helpers took down the nets and rolled out the courts. "That's just normal here that there are rain interruptions. If that bothers you, then you're in the wrong place," commented the doubles specialist.
Siegemund faces a much more challenging task in her bid for a third-round berth, 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, which comes not only from the serve and return," said Siegemund. "I don't have anything to lose - especially not on grass."
Emotions for crowd favorite only in doubles
Meanwhile, crowd favorite Andy Murray failed to fulfill his heart's desire for a last singles appearance at his home Grand Slam tournament before his probable career end this summer. The three-time Wimbledon champion lost due to a back injury and had to make the difficult decision to cancel his evening match on Centre Court on Tuesday.
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.
Zverev's opening victory at Wimbledon marked a strong start towards his first Grand Slam title, emulating the success of United States player Marcos Giron or British Henry Searle in the upcoming matches. Germany has three representatives in the second round of the tournament, with Zverev joining Laura Siegemund, who demonstrated resilience in the face of rain interruptions to advance.
Siegemund, the first German woman to progress, will face a formidable challenge against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, crowd favorite Andy Murray had to withdraw from singles due to a back injury, but will continue in the doubles along with his brother Jamie Murray.
In the men's draw, Germany's Zverev commanded the gameplay on the lawn, outclassing the world number 64 Spanish player Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets. The French Open finalist showcased an impressive display of powerful serves and heavy groundstrokes, setting himself as a potential title contender at Wimbledon 2023.
Zverev's opening victory at the Wimbledon grass-court classic underscores the intense competition of the international tennis circuit, with Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz having triumphed over him at the French Open. The German ace aims to win two great weeks and claims a title on these iconic courts.
The US-based Marcos Giron, seeking an opportunity against Zverev, has demonstrated his skill on the ATP tour, having reached the quarterfinals at the Paris Masters in 2020. In London, Giron advanced to the second round, where he awaits the victory of Zverev or his British opponent Henry Searle.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan, will face Siegemund in the second round, presenting a significant challenge to the German doubles specialist, who has an underdog mentality when playing on grass. Simultaneously, in Tenerife, Carlos Alcaraz, the French Open champion, is preparing for his upcoming Grand Slam tournament.
