Free pass for Djokovic, Kerber wins
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 5, 2017
 |
|
Djokovic gets easy first-round ride as Klizan retires in second set. |
Last year's runners-up were up first on the main showcourts at Wimbledon yesterday, and both came through in straight sets.
Angelique Kerber, playing in the spot on Centre Court normally reserved for the defending women's champion, beat Irina Falconi of the United States 6-4, 6-4. On No. 1 Court, Milos Raonic defeated Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4).
"A lot of memories came back when I walk on the Centre Court," Kerber said. "Playing there again, it's one of the best courts to play. It's traditional, so it was really great to being back."
Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion at the All England Club, didn't even need three sets to advance. He reached the second round when opponent Martin Klizan retired from the match in the second set.
Djokovic was leading 6-3, 2-0 when the Slovakian world No. 47 retired after just 40 minutes on Centre Court due to a calf problem.
The 30-year-old Serb, ranked No. 4, will face Adam Pavlasek of the Czech Republic for a place in the last 32.
"He had issues walking on to court. I tried to focus on my game plan, I was serving well and when it mattered I made a break," said Djokovic, who is aiming to win a first Grand Slam title since last year's French Open.
"It was great to be back on Centre Court. It's the cradle of tennis history and it's a special feeling to walk on, but you never like to end a match this way."
Kerber stepped in to the opening spot on Centre Court on Day 2 in place of Serena Williams, the defending champion who is out for the rest of the season because she is pregnant.
Although Kerber became the first women seeded No. 1 in the professional era to lose in the first round of the French Open, she made it through to the second round on the grass.
"Playing first rounds in Grand Slams are always tough, especially with my first-round match that I lost in Paris," Kerber said. "I was actually just thinking about point by point, trying to finding my rhythm during the whole match."
Raonic came into Wimbledon after playing only one match on grass, a first-round loss at Queen's. The last time he failed to win a match on grass prior to Wimbledon, in 2014, he reached the semifinals.
Last year the Canadian did even better than that, reaching the final and losing to Britain's Andy Murray in straight sets.
Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, a semifinalist in 2013, defeated Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 as the 29th seed moved towards a potential third-round classic against Djokovic.
French 22nd seed Richard Gasquet slumped to a 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 loss to Spain's David Ferrer.
Other winners included 2015 Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza among the women, and 15th-seeded Gael Monfils among the men.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)