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4 hours ago
7
Key events
Swiatek took the first set off Townsend 6-0, but was broken immediately in the second; Shelton and Virtanen are level at 1-1 3-3; Fery has fought back against Dzumhur to lead 3-6 6-2 2-0; Fearnley is fighting back against Michelsen, trailing 3-6 4-6 3-1; De Minaur leads Burruchaga 7-6 6-1 4-0; Kokkinakis leads Bublik 5-4 with a break; and Pinnington Jones has broken Nakashima back to trail 3-6 6-7 5-6.
The big seed in Fritz’s half is Zverev, whom he leads 10-5 in head to head and who doesn’t love grass; in his eighth, there’s really no one who should bother him – Bublik is the next highest seed, and no one would ever rely on him to do what’s expected.
The last year or two, Fritz has looked like he might be ready to make the jump from contender to pretender – he got the semis last year, playing pretty much as well as he can in losing to Alcaraz in four. But this year, with Alcaraz knacked and Sinner in the other half of the draw, he has what is probably the opportunity of his life; can he make it happen? Well, he’s broken Lajovic in set two to lead 6-3 5-3, and is settling nicely.
Valentin Royer beats Henry Wendelken 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3
Wendelken gave a good account of himself but after the first set, couldn’t play well enough for long enough to win another. Next for Royer: Blockx or Zverev.
Ruthless from Swiatek, who breaks Townsend again for 4-1 in the first; Kokkinakis leads Bublik 3-2 with a break; Nakashima, returning after his match against Pinnington Jones was suspended last evening, now leads 2-0 5-3; and De Minaur has rushed through a 6-1 second set to lead Burruchaga 2-0.
Hanfman has beaten Mpetshi Perricard 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-3, which has me thinking, reason being Calv Betton, our resident coach, saw him a few years ago when he was still a teenager and was wowed by him. But he’s not quite trained on – though he made round four of this competition in 2024, the first lucky loser so to do in a decade, otherwise he’s done almost nothing at majors. I wonder if a little more finesse is required.
Swiatek eventually secures her hold, saving five break points in the process – she and Townsend are 1-1 in the first – while Shelton has levelled against Virtanen at a set apiece. De Minaur, meanwhile, is making a better first of things than Boulter, up 7-6 3-1 on Burruchaga … and, as I type, Swiatek reminds us who she us, showing Townsend how a break is secured. She leads 2-1, and that will, I think, do plenty for her confidence.
On Centre, Townsend’s tactic is clear: take the ball as early as possible and try putting Swiatek under pressure. She holds for 1-0 then makes 0-40, and though the champ rallies with three first serves that takes us to deuce, another on advantage … is also saved.
Swiatek was a surprise winner last year, but it made sense that her ability on clay eventually translated to grass; the ball bounces low and her excellent footwork is just as important on a slippy surface. I can’t say I’m expecting her to retain, especially after Kostyuk demolished her in Paris – the field are improving faster than her -– but if she hits her best level, she’s capable.
Wendelken and Royer have swapped third-set breaks, so the Frenchman leads the Brit 2-1 2-2; Fritz has taken the first set against Lajovic 6-3; I’m not sure if something’s going on on Court 4 but having lost the first set 6-3, Halys then won the second 6-1 and leads Arnaldi 1-0 with a break in the third; Svajda leads Llamas Ruiz 6-1 4-0 and might just’ve broken a barrier with his performance in Paris; and Dzumhur leads Fery 6-3 2-0.
Madison Keys (26) beats Kayla Day (5)6-7 6-4 6-3
Keys has made two Wimbledon quarters but she’s capable of better, if she trusts herself and turns up – though I wonder about her movement on grass. Still, she survives a fright and moves on to face Katie Swan next.
There’s so much going it’s an outrage. On Centre, Swiatek and Townsend are knocking up, so I’ve got that on; Fritz leads Lajovic 4-3 on serve; Shelton has broken Virtanen for 4-6 4-1; Keys has match point against Day at 5-3 in the third; and De Minaur has won a first-set breaker against Burruchaga.
Jasmine Paolini (13) beats Robin Montgomery 0-6 6-4 7-5
A brilliant win in a terrific match, sadly conceded with a double, but Paolini has so much heart and composure, earning a second-round match against Shymanovich or Golubic, who are level at 1-1 in the first. Montgomery gave so much to the match, but at just 21, she’ll be back and better.
Back with Paolini, she hods for 6-5, then races to 0-40 and suddenly, after losing the first set 6-0 and being down a break in the third, she has three match points, Montgomery playing tentatively as she attacks thew opportunity with characteristic gusto.
Gosh, there’s so much going on it’s ridiculous. Bouzkova leads Gibson 3-1 in the third, Michelsen has broken Fearnley for 6-3 1-0, Dzumhur leads Fery 5-2, Burruchaga leads De Minaur 6-5 and Fritz leads Lajovic 3-2.
Yup, Montgomery closes out her hold for 5-5 in the third, and this is a really intense tussle. Elsewhere, Arnaldi not only retrieved Halys’ break but took one of his own and now leads 6-3 0-1; Keys has just broken Day for 3-2 in the third; and Zach Svajda, so impressive in making round four in Paris, leads Llamas Ruiz 5-2.
Jacob Fearnley has also lost a set, trailing Michelsen 3-6, but let’s go to 12, where Paolini has match point at 5-4 30-40, having lost the first 6-0 and been a break down in the third. And she has the chance to put away a backhand at net … only to telegraph it, allowing Montgomery to hit into space and save herself.
Virtanen makes 40-15, rains down a big serve, and Shelton can’t return it. That completes an excellent 6-4 set for the qualifier, who won 100% on points when landing his first delivery, and we’ve also reached the end of a set on 14, Wendelken saving the point for a double break before being broken anyway. Royer leads 4-6 6-3 6-3.
There’s not much to choose between the players on No 2 but, down break point, Shelton runs in to lift a forehand down the line … and it’s wide, meaning Virtanen will shortly serve for the first set. On No 1, meantime, Fritz and Lajovic are under way, while Wendelken is down set point to Royer, serving at 1-1 3-5 30-40.
I’ve switched off De Minaur-Burruchaga to take in some Day-Keys but, in case anyone was wondering, yes Roman Andres is the son of Jorge.
I’m afraid Mr Wendelken might soon be back in his rocking chair, Royer breaking him to lead 1-1 4-3; brilliant hitting from Paolini, moving Montgomery around, allows her to save break point at 4-4 in the third; and Keys has forced a third set against Day.
There are bare Italians on Court 12, all whooping and hollering because Paolini has just broken Montgomery back for 4-4 in the third. It’s a really good match, this, while elsewhere, De Minaur has broken Burruchaga back for 3-3 in the first; Virtanen and Shelton are 4-4.
Can someone please confirm that Wendelken’s locker-room nickname is “Mr”? Thanks in advance.
Otherwise, he and Royer are level at 1-1 3-3.
Montgomery consolidates, then Paolini holds for 3-4 in the third, while Sakkari has dispatched the no 24 seed, Tauson beaten 3 and 3. Next for her: Kalinina or Rakhimova, the latter up 1-0 in the third.
Oh, Paolini nets and Montgomery has the third-set break at 3-2; the no 13 seed is in trouble. Elsewhere, on No 1, Fritz and Lajovic will soon be out, then Centre gets going half an hour later, at 1.30pm BST.
I know Alcaraz is missing, so all the seeds have moved up one, but Ben Shelton at four sits strangely with me. He’s got talent, of course, but the fourth-best player in the draw? That’s a reach, and I’d not be at all surprised if he loses to Mensik, his fourth-round opponent should both progress – though al Mensik’s half of the section are Fils, Berrettini and Dimitrov, so he’s much work to do.
Oh, and yet another Brit is now under way, Arthur Fery level with Damir Dzumhur at 1-1.
Keys has broken Day in set two to trail 6-7 4-3, and if that one goes to a third I’ll really want to find a way of watching it; Halys leads Arnaldi, beaten semi-finalist at Roland Garros, 2-1 with a break; Majchrzak now leads Tabilo, a clay-court specialist but no 30 seed, 6-3 7-5 4-3 with a break; Kenin has beaten Marcinko 7-6 6-4; with Michelsen and Fearnley at 2-2 in the first.
So around the courts we go. Shelton leads Virtanen 2-1 on serve; Royer has levelled against GB’s Wendelken at one set all, and it’s 1-1 in the third; Paolini and Montgomery are level at 2-2 in the decider; and Burruchaga leads De Minaur 2-0, the Demon having seen his fiancé wiped off the same court just a few minutes ago. Those are the matches I’m watching.
Back to Anisimova, she said it’s not easy playing a qualifier, as they’re in form having won matches to reach the tournament proper, but she feels good.
It feels amazing to be back, all the great memories, and she’s trying to carry the vibes from last year, enjoying every day. Any distraction she can get is great for her as grand slams are stressful and you don’t just wan to focus on the tennis.
Ah man, that was so good to see – elite sport is a cruel, brutal endeavour, and Swan was thinking about giving it all up now that long ago, but she persevered and enjoys the moment with her people in the crowd. I can’t begin to imagine how she’s feeling, mainly because it’s a way most of us will never experience, but I’ll tell you this much: it looks pretty good.
Katie Swan beats Irina Begu 6-4 6-4
What a win for Swan, the first Brit into round two and what great reward for all the pain, frustration, fear and doubt. Next for her it’s Day or Keys, Day currently leading 7-6 2-1.
…and Swan immediately takes control of the rally but she’s tentative trying to finish it, then the error comes. No matter: Begu goes long from the back, and match point number five is imminent, my concentration disturbed by a soul-curdling roar from elsewhere – Paolini breaks Montgomery to level at one set all.
…tells. Swan tightens on the forehand, sending one long, and to deuce we go. Meantime, Montgomery has broken Paolini back in set two to lead 6-0 4-5 … oh, and Begu nails a winner down the line for advantage. So Swan hammers down a service winner, and that’s very impressive behaviour … and she follows it with another. Here comes match point number four…
Begu comes in, Swan tries to pass her, it’s a pretty good effort … but the stretch-volley is excellent. 40-15, then 40-30, and that’s two match points burned. Pressure…
Swan’s had a terrible time with injury – not that long ago, she was unranked, having to fight her way back simply to compete. And she did, so she’s here, sending down a slow second serve … that Begu overhits on return. And 15-0 is soon 40-0, all that pain and suffering leading to this point that she must’ve feared she’d never reach. Can Swan serve it out?
Also going on:
Begu holds so, after a sit-down, Swan will serve for the match.
Next no No 3: Alex de Minaur (5) v Roman Andres Burruchaga.
Next on No 2: Otto Virtanen v Ben Shelton (4).
We’ll do the interviews shortly, but out on 16, Begu is serving to stay in the match against Swann, down 4-6 3-5.
Tyra Grant beats Katie Boulter 6-4 6-2
There’s no other way to slice it: that was a hiding, and the biggest win of Grant’s career; I cn’t wait to see how she does from here. Boulter, meanwhile, who beat Rybakina at Queen’s, will be so disappointed, but she’ll know she didn’t turn up today. Next for Grant: Gibson or Bouzkova, Bouzkova currently leading 6-1 1-3.
Amanda Anisimova (6) beats Lina Gjorcheska 6-3 6-2
A domineering performance from the beaten finalist in last year’s competition – and US Open. She belongs at this level and she knows it; though her season hasn’t gone as she’s have hoped, do not sleep on her here. Next for her: Kenin or Marcinko, Kenin currently leading 7-6.
Our top two matches look and feel almost over: Anisimova is serving for the match against Gjorcheska at 6-3 5-2, while Boulter is now down a set and a double-break at 4-6 2-5, the 18-year-old qualifier Grant about to serve for the match.
So I’m already watching Anisimova, and Boulter; to that, I’m going to add Paolini and Swan.
Anisimova is almost into round two, up 6-3 5-1 on Gjorcheska; Boulter, bidding to be the first Brit to win a match at this year’s tournament, trails Grant 4-6 2-4; Montgomery leads Paolini 6-0 1-3; Keys and Day are playing a first-set tiebreak; Sakkari leads Tauson 6-3 4-3 with a break; Majchrzak leads Tabilo 6-3 3-4; and in other, better Brit news, Wendelken leads Royer 6-4 1-2 and Swan leads Begu 6-4 3-2 with a break
Righto, let’s begin with some latest scores, then we’ll talk about where eyes are best allocated…
Preamble
Wotcha one and all and welcome to Wimbledon 2026 – day two!
As you’d expect, we’ve a faintly daunting and thoroughly thrilling banquet of tennis awaiting us today, so let’s dig right in.
Early doors, last year’s double-bagelled finalist, Amanda Anisimova, gets herself and that work-of-art backhand going, with Katie Boulter also up first. Others in action are Jasmine Paolini, Madison Keys and Donna Vekic, while Maria Sakkari’s match with Clara Tauson has the potential to be a highlight.
Then, when No 1 gets going, Taylor Fritz takes on Dusan Lajovic – it was meant to be the bone-bruised Jack Draper – while on Centre, Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, meets doubles specialist, Taylor Townsend.
But it’s second on No 1 that really looks like the match of the day, Elena Rybakina, a former winner and this year’s second-favourite, drawn against Loïs Boisson, surprise semi-finalist in last year’s French Open.
Then, if to that, we add Alexander Zverev’s first appearance, along with those of Ben Shelton, Eline Svitolina, Alex de Minaur, Marta Kostyuk and the in-form Jakub Mensik, we know we’re flying – but of course that’s not the size of it. Jacob Fearnley meets Alex Michelsen in a match that has five-set epic written all over it; the surging Arthur Fils returns after injury; Griggzy Dimitrov, so unlucky to injure himself last year when two sets up against Jannik Sinner is back; Flavio Cobolli meets Mariano Navone; and No 1 finishes for the day with an aesthete’s banger, the great Stan Wawrinka beginning his final campaign against Mario Berrettini.
We have, though, kept the best till last: the Queen returning to her palace! Yup, four years since her last appearance, Serena Williams, the seven-times champion and greatest of all time, is back at the age of … 44 – ! – and will close out the action on Centre, facing Maya Joint for a place in round
Or, put another way, of all the things going on in the world today, the most exciting, the most affirming and the most inspirational is coming right up – at SW19 and in these pages. This is going to be very, very special. Here we go!
