Wimbledon (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Roger Federer trembled, but not long, finally victorious for his entry on the line Tuesday at Wimbledon, a tournament that is definitely not the cup of tea of Dominic Thiem, still out in the first round.
In the women's draw, Serena Williams qualified without worry for the second round, while Maria Sharapova gave up, again injured.
- Federer, a heating set -
A first round at Wimbledon for Federer, a recent winner in Halle, and semi-finalist at Roland Garros, even at 37, is normally stored in the lot of formalities. Except that against the South African Lloyd Harris (86th), the scenario seemed to skid rather quickly. Not in the rhythm, surprised by the game of his opponent, and caught up by a nervousness rather rare for him, he let slip an entry set. Of course, the stands have rustled with questions ... But things are then back in order.
"I was nervous for a set and a half," said the Swiss. "Things can go fast here," he explained. This is what followed; a perfect turnaround for the Swiss with three sets aligned without much problem. The scare has passed and his quest for a 21st Grand Slam in London can continue.
- The Kyrgios-Nadal blockbuster -
The blockbuster long awaited by amateurs will therefore take place. The unpredictable Australian Nick Kyrgios (43rd) did what it took to present himself in the second round of the London tournament, able to restrain the space of a match his impulses. He qualified in five sets against his compatriot Jordan Thompson (44th) by making ... Kyrgios + soft +. A spoon service, a set balanced 6-0 in 18 minutes, but in the end a victory in five sets against a solid player on grass: 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12 / 10), 0-6, 6-1.
He will then find the world N.2 Rafael Nadal in the second round, winning him 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 of the Japanese Yuichi Sugita. Relations between Kyrgios and the Spaniard went downhill after their last match in February in Acapulco. Nadal had lost for the third time against the Australian, and had not tasted his attitude. He had said it, causing a reaction of the person on the social networks quite clear, Uncle Toni got involved ... In short, the match promises to be electric.
"Not sure that with Rafa we can have a beer together, I do not know him, there is mutual respect, but that's all I think," Kyrgios said on Tuesday. The Australian had beaten Nadal in 2014 at Wimbledon, a match that revealed him to the world.
- Thiem not fan of the grass
He had almost prognosticated himself before the start of the London fortnight. Austria's Dominic Thiem does not like turf, and Wimbledon remains for him the tournament "the most difficult" because of his style of play. Faced with the American Sam Querrey, semifinalist in London in 2017 and finalist in Eastbourne just recently, the suspense did not last too long. A set for Thiem, and the thread then broke. Faced with a server like Querrey, the Austrian could do nothing, beat 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0.
Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who took Thiem out in the first round here again last year, has extended his career a bit longer after Wimbledon, defeating Canadian Brayden Schnur 6-2, 6-4, 6- 4.
- Sharapova gives up, Serena passes
Maria Sharapova finally thought of winning her first match at Wimbledon for four years. But against Pauline Parmentier, the Russian, 80th world, who found the circuit in early June only after five months of absence and surgery on the right shoulder, stumbled a few points in the second set (6-7, 4/7 in the tie-break) after winning the first set (6-4). This time her left arm did not hold, forcing her to drop to 0-5 in the 3rd set.
For Serena Williams (10th), eliminated early in the third round at Roland Garros and going through a season complicated by injuries, no problem for her debut on grass: a victory in two sets against the qualified Italian Giulia Gatto-Monticone 6 -2, 7-5. Her quest for a 24th Grand Slam, a record held by Margaret Court, continues.
The day was also quiet for world No.1 Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Angelique Kerber, both qualified for the second round.
? 2019 AFP