Carlos Alcaraz is in the second round. © APA/afp / GLYN KIRK

Alcaraz and Berrettini reach second round

Jannik Sinner stepped onto the hallowed turf of Wimbledon on Monday evening. Some of his rivals were already on the green before him.

July 01, 2024

From: tu/dpa

As one of the top favorites, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz struggled to make it through the first round of Wimbledon. The 21-year-old Spaniard beat qualifier Mark Lajal from Estonia 7:6 (7:3), 7:5, 6:2 in the grass court classic in London. Despite the close first two rounds, Alcaraz avoided losing a set, but only became dominant in the third set.

"He played a very good match," said Alcaraz, praising his opponent. Lajal surprised him a little because he hadn't seen him very often before. In the second round, Alcaraz will face the Australian Aleksandar Vukic, who beat the Austrian Sebastian Ofner in five sets.

Dream duel against Sinner

In addition to the Spaniard, Matteo Berrettini also reached the second round. The Azzurro defeated the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in four sets with 7:6(3), 6:2, 3:6 and 6:1. In the second round, he will now face Jannik Sinner, who will play Yannick Hanfmann defeated 6:3, 6:4, 3:6 and 6:3.

Matteo Berrettini waits for Jannik Sinner. © ANSA / NEIL HALL

The other big names in tennis also didn't let themselves be fooled. Casper Ruud won in three sets against Alex Bolt from Australia, Daniil Medvedev also sent the American Aleksandar Kovacevic home in three sets and Stan Wawrinka didn't waste any time against the Briton Charles Broom (3:0 in sets).