The 2023 Wimbledon Championship is currently underway, and already, we have gotten a taste of action so far with the very eventful day 1 of the event. Unlike last year’s edition, this year, Russian and Belarusian players are allowed at the event, but they are competing under a neutral flag.
Former world number one, Novak Djokovic, started his Wimbledon journey on a good note with an impressive win over Pedro Cachin. Djokovic beat the Argentine 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) in a match that was impacted by rain. For over an hour, play had to be stopped as rain on the Centre Court. The Serbian is seeking his 3rd Grand Slam title of the year. If he wins, he would be the man with the most Grand Slam titles and would tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam wins of all time (24).
Another person who had a good day was Andrey Rublev. His 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Max Purcell has seen the Russian move to the second round of the event, which he hopes to win, having been denied access to the event last year.
Other men who clashed to victory on day 1 include Casper Rudd, Hubert Hurkacz, and Lorenzo Musetti.
Women’s number one, Iga Swiatek, had a good first round with an easy 6-1 6-3 win over Zhu Lin.
Swiatek, entering Wimbledon after recently winning her third French Open title, has not had a good time in Wlmbledon, with fourth-round being the farthest she had gone at the event. Would this year see her progress past that, with a victory perhaps? We would have to find that out for ourselves.
American Jessica Pegula defeated a fellow American, Lauren Davis, 6-2 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 to make it to the second round. Victoria Azarenka enjoyed the first day blessings, beating Chinese Yue Yuan 6-4 5-7 6-4.
Caroline Garcia and Veronika Kudermetova are two other women who made it to the next round.
It was not a good day, however, for everyone. Five-time Wimbledon winner, Venus Williams lost in a game of two sets after an injured knee forced her out of the game. This projected Ukrainian Elina Svitolina to the next round.
Leon Osamor
