LONDON, JUN 30 (IANS): Seven time champion Novak Djokovic launched his 21st Wimbledon campaign with a gritty four set victory over China’s Yibing Wu, prevailing 6 4, 5 7, 6 4, 6 4 in three hours and 11 minutes on Centre Court. The No. 7 seed, playing only his fifth tournament of the year due to a shoulder injury, was pushed hard by the world No. 102 but ultimately extended his perfect record in Wimbledon first rounds to 21 0.
Wu impressed early, striking 15 winners in the opening set, though his tally was offset by unforced errors. Djokovic took the first set but missed chances to break in the second, allowing Wu to grow in confidence as the crowd rallied behind him. The Chinese player leveled the match, forcing Djokovic to dig deep. With the roof closed in the third set, the Serbian found his rhythm, breaking late to edge ahead. In the fourth, Djokovic showcased trademark resilience, saving six break points—including three from 0/40 at 2 3—before sealing victory. Competing on grass for the first time this season, Djokovic demonstrated his ability to grind out wins under pressure, setting the tone for another deep run after reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year.
Sabalenka silences Kostovic in first round
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made a commanding start, defeating Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic 6 2, 6 3 in 64 minutes. The three time Wimbledon semifinalist struck 22 winners and absorbed Kostovic’s power game with composure. Sabalenka raced to a 4 0 lead in the first set, and though Kostovic briefly rallied, the Belarusian closed out the set in half an hour.
Kostovic, ranked No. 184 and making her Grand Slam debut, attempted to energize the crowd, even breaking Sabalenka when she served for the match at 5 2 in the second set. Yet Sabalenka quickly regrouped, sealing victory and thanking the crowd with her racquet. For Kostovic, it was her first match against a world No. 1, echoing Sabalenka’s own experience in 2018 when she lost to Simona Halep. Sabalenka now faces McCartney Kessler in the second round, while Kostovic departs with valuable exposure and experience.
Anisimova, Pliskova cruise into Round 2
Amanda Anisimova and Karolina Pliskova also advanced confidently. Sixth seed Anisimova defeated North Macedonia’s Lina Gjorcheska 6 3, 6 2 in just over an hour, rebounding from last year’s final loss to Iga Swiatek. She dominated with 17 winners and an 83 percent first serve success rate, never facing a break point. Gjorcheska, despite defeat, made history as the first North Macedonian to compete in a Wimbledon singles main draw, having battled through qualifying.
Pliskova, a former finalist, overcame compatriot Tereza Valentova 6 3, 6 4 in one hour and 15 minutes. Her victory, built on precision and patience, marked her first Wimbledon main draw win since 2022 and her 19th overall. A single break in each set proved decisive, with Pliskova erasing Valentova’s lone break point at 3 3 in the opener before closing out strongly. The win improved her record against fellow Czech players to 46 26, including 20 7 against younger compatriots, underlining her enduring quality.
Osaka slays in ‘Kill Bill inspired’ kimono at opener
Naomi Osaka added flair to Day One with a striking fashion statement. The world No. 14 arrived on court in a “Kill Bill” inspired kimono, crafted from upcycled materials including a traditional shiromuku wedding dress. The outfit paid homage to her Japanese heritage and Quentin Tarantino’s martial arts film, particularly Lucy Liu’s character O Ren Ishii.
Osaka explained she likes to embody video game like personas on court, drawing inspiration from cultural icons. After her memorable entrance, she defeated France’s Elsa Jacquemot 6 1, 7 5 to reach the second round. Osaka, who has never progressed beyond Wimbledon’s third round, will next face Russia’s Anastasia Gasanova. Her fashion choices have become a hallmark of her Grand Slam appearances, from butterfly adorned hats in Melbourne to corsets and sequined dresses in Paris. At Wimbledon, she blended tradition with modern creativity, captivating fans before delivering a solid performance on court.