Good start on the grass at Wimbledon for Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively the number 1 in the world and the big favorite of the 137th edition of the Championships. The Italian took four sets to overcome the German Yannick Hanfmann, 32-year-old number 110 ATP, easily winning the first two by 6-3 and 6-4, and then slowing down in the third, losing by 3-6, before winning 6-3 in the last, after exactly three hours of play. Fresh from his victory in Halle, Sinner has begun to adapt to the London grass and, as expected, he will face Matteo Berrettini in the second round, next Wednesday.
An Italian derby that on the one hand was not needed, but which is a further example of the magic moment of Italian tennis. Sinner did not appear enthusiastic about his tennis, admitting that he is still in the approach phase. “I hope to raise my level in the second round. Berrettini played in the final here, he knows how to play, it will be a great challenge. Each of us will try to win and I hope to move forward in the tournament”. The Roman earned the right to challenge the world no. 1 and the ranking by beating the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in four sets (76(4) 62 36 61), due to a lapse in the third, just like the South Tyrolean did. “I feel good, the physical problems are behind me. I feel I am in good condition, and I hope to continue playing like this. I have great memories in this tournament”, the satisfaction of the Roman tennis player, who focused on the ‘golden period’ of Italian tennis. “Obviously Jannik is doing incredible things, but the other guys are doing it too, just think of Musetti, finalist at Queen’s. We are living in a magical moment for Italian tennis”.
Among the Italians on the field on the first day of the Championships, the three-set success of Fabio Fognini, number 94, stands out for his fourteenth time in London: against the Frenchman Luca Van Assche, the Ligurian tennis player won 61 63 75.
Lorenzo Sonego also reaches the second round, in three sets (64 76 () 64) against the Argentine Mariano Navone. A wasted opportunity, on the other hand, for Matteo Arnaldi who is overtaken after having been ahead by two sets, and then surrenders against the American Frances Tiafoe (76 (5) 62 16 36 36).
Among the women, good debut for Jasmine Paolini, favorite n.7, who in two sets beats the Spanish Sara Sorribes Tormo (76 63). Also in two sets (64 76) says goodbye, on the other hand, to London Martina Trevisan, defeated by the American Madison Keys.
Alcaraz finished his effort in the middle of the afternoon. 12 months after his first triumph in London, he confirmed his special feeling on the grass of the All England Club right from the first round, overcoming without hesitation – “a solid match”, as the interested party defined it – the Estonian Mark Lajal. After a balanced first set, won only in the tie-break, Alcaraz appeared more and more at ease on the Centre Court, ending up punching his ticket to the second round in less than two hours (7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2).
“I’m very happy to be back playing in this wonderful stadium,” the Spaniard said. “It’s difficult to start the tournament and get used to the conditions of the court right away. I enjoy every time I play on grass, I’ve always liked playing here, going to the net, attacking. I think it’s a surface that suits my style of play well.” On the eve of his debut, Alcaraz was seen playing golf, his secret to easing tension. “Whenever I can, I try to play. It helps me a lot to switch off, not to think about the match the day before, to stay calm.”
Among the big names on the field on the first Monday of the tournament, there were no major surprises: everything was easy also for Daniil Medvedev, the number 5 favourite, who in less than two hours took care of business against Aleksandar Kovacevic (6-3, 6-4, 6-2).
The first round match of the Wimbledon tournament between Mattia Bellucci and Ben Shelton was interrupted due to “darkness” and will resume at 12 on court 18. The 23-year-old from Busto Arsizio is leading 6-4 3-6 6-3.
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