Among the many remarkable things that happened to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-teenager-cori-gauff-effortlessly-races-into-third-round-232951">Cori "Coco" Gauff</a> on Saturday, the 15-year-old actually lost a game of tennis.

But no matter. Being tweeted by Michelle Obama, Jaden Smith and Samuel L Jackson among others more than made up for losing her mixed doubles match with Jay Clarke 6-1, 6-4 to Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko.

Gauff, the American teenager who has proved the revelation of Wimbledon's first week by reaching the fourth round of the women's singles, was still pinching herself at her celebrity status. She said she was delighted that her country's former First Lady had tweeted 'Coco is terrific'.

"I was super excited, She's one of my role models. So it was just cool to see that she knows I exist," said Gauff, whose Instagram account showed her clowning round and swooning at news of all her famous backers.

"I saw videos back at home of people screaming after a match. And I saw somebody painted a mural of me in Fort Lauderdale. That was pretty cool."

Asked to describe herself, she came up with the sort of self-deprecating response that explains why she has been such a hit at Wimbledon. "Weird. Weird, goofy, and, I don't know. Yeah, weird and goofy, I guess."

Gauff said she was particularly flattered that singer Jaden, one of her big idols, had noticed.

"I have looked up to Jaden for so long. People who follow me know that's all I post about. I kind of slowed down on it a little bit, but still, it was pretty exciting for me. His new album just came out, as well."

Gauff has enjoyed a life-changing week after beating Venus Williams and 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova and then saving two match points to down Polona Hercog in front of an ecstatic crowd on Friday.

Now she faces her biggest test against former world number one Simona Halep on Monday and the bad news for the Romanian is that she intends to follow exactly the same pre-match routine that has worked so well up to now.

"I think I'm just going to approach her like every other match I have been approaching. My routine has been working pretty well so that's how I'm going to go into the match," she said.

"I like to look at prank videos on YouTube and listen to music. I love music that keeps me calm before matches, because obviously when you get out there there's a lot of nerves anyway. Yeah, I like to find my own space, put some relaxed music on."

Asked if she will feel any different going into the second week of a grand slam, she said: "I don't know. We'll see when I go on the court."

Among the many remarkable things that happened to Cori "Coco" Gauff on Saturday, the 15-year-old actually lost a game of tennis. But no matter. Being tweeted by Michelle Obama, Jaden Smith and Samuel L Jackson among others more than made up for losing her mixed doubles match with Jay Clarke 6-1, 6-4 to Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko.

Among the many remarkable things that happened to Cori "Coco" Gauff on Saturday, the 15-year-old actually lost a game of tennis. But no matter. Being tweeted by Michelle Obama, Jaden Smith and Samuel L Jackson among others more than made up for losing her mixed doubles match with Jay Clarke 6-1, 6-4 to Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko. Gauff, the American teenager who has proved the revelation of Wimbledon's first week by reaching the fourth round of the women's singles, was still pinching herself at her celebrity status. She said she was delighted that her country's former First Lady had tweeted 'Coco is terrific'. "I was super excited, She's one of my role models. So it was just cool to see that she knows I exist," said Gauff, whose Instagram account showed her clowning round and swooning at news of all her famous backers. "I saw videos back at home of people screaming after a match. And I saw somebody painted a mural of me in Fort Lauderdale. That was pretty cool." Asked to describe herself, she came up with the sort of self-deprecating response that explains why she has been such a hit at Wimbledon. "Weird. Weird, goofy, and, I don't know. Yeah, weird and goofy, I guess." Gauff said she was particularly flattered that singer Jaden, one of her big idols, had noticed. "I have looked up to Jaden for so long. People who follow me know that's all I post about. I kind of slowed down on it a little bit, but still, it was pretty exciting for me. His new album just came out, as well." Gauff has enjoyed a life-changing week after beating Venus Williams and 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova and then saving two match points to down Polona Hercog in front of an ecstatic crowd on Friday. Now she faces her biggest test against former world number one Simona Halep on Monday and the bad news for the Romanian is that she intends to follow exactly the same pre-match routine that has worked so well up to now. "I think I'm just going to approach her like every other match I have been approaching. My routine has been working pretty well so that's how I'm going to go into the match," she said. "I like to look at prank videos on YouTube and listen to music. I love music that keeps me calm before matches, because obviously when you get out there there's a lot of nerves anyway. Yeah, I like to find my own space, put some relaxed music on." Asked if she will feel any different going into the second week of a grand slam, she said: "I don't know. We'll see when I go on the court."

'Goofy' Gauff can't believe who is watching her heroics

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova began this year's tournament with questions over her fitness due to a niggling left forearm injury but the gutsy Czech has cast all doubts aside with a series of ruthless displays to march into the second week.

The 29-year-old missed the French Open and the Birmingham Classic due to the problem but has stormed into the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time since her 2014 triumph and faces local favourite Johanna Konta on Monday.

"Yeah, definitely I played the best tennis today," Kvitova said after thumping Poland's Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.

"I played aggressive. It was the key. I moved well. From the first point, I felt great... as I mentioned already many times before, the pain can come in the forearm and I have to retire.

"I'm taking it positive that I finished the match with the win. That's really important. I'm not looking too (far) ahead."

Kvitova, who returned to professional tennis in 2017 after recovering from severe wounds to her left, playing, hand as she struggled with an intruder in her home the previous year, has managed remarkable results at the All England Club this time despite the latest injury.

She has not dropped a set in three matches, spending only three hours and 34 minutes on court in total.

"Now my mind is more focused on the arm than on the tennis. It's difficult in the practices before, my arm getting tighter. I couldn't really hit it," the sixth seed added.

"I'm always worried about scenarios that come in the match. So far it's okay. I'm glad I can play without pain."

Konta, the only remaining Briton in the singles, is overcoming a dip in form that halted her progress last season following her rise to world number four in 2017.

The 28-year-old missed out on her first title of the season by losing finals in Rabat and Rome, before reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.

She defeated American Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to set up a fifth meeting with Kvitova, who has beaten her three times.

"She's a two-time Wimbledon champion. Her favourite surface and best surface is grass. I'm going to be coming up against a very inspired and tough Petra," Konta said.

"Since coming back from that terrible thing that happened with her, she's playing unbelievable tennis. I'm looking forward to playing a great champion."

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova began this year's tournament with questions over her fitness due to a niggling left forearm injury but the gutsy Czech has cast all doubts aside with a series of ruthless displays to march into the second week.

Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova began this year's tournament with questions over her fitness due to a niggling left forearm injury but the gutsy Czech has cast all doubts aside with a series of ruthless displays to march into the second week. The 29-year-old missed the French Open and the Birmingham Classic due to the problem but has stormed into the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time since her 2014 triumph and faces local favourite Johanna Konta on Monday. "Yeah, definitely I played the best tennis today," Kvitova said after thumping Poland's Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday. "I played aggressive. It was the key. I moved well. From the first point, I felt great... as I mentioned already many times before, the pain can come in the forearm and I have to retire. "I'm taking it positive that I finished the match with the win. That's really important. I'm not looking too (far) ahead." Kvitova, who returned to professional tennis in 2017 after recovering from severe wounds to her left, playing, hand as she struggled with an intruder in her home the previous year, has managed remarkable results at the All England Club this time despite the latest injury. She has not dropped a set in three matches, spending only three hours and 34 minutes on court in total. "Now my mind is more focused on the arm than on the tennis. It's difficult in the practices before, my arm getting tighter. I couldn't really hit it," the sixth seed added. "I'm always worried about scenarios that come in the match. So far it's okay. I'm glad I can play without pain." Konta, the only remaining Briton in the singles, is overcoming a dip in form that halted her progress last season following her rise to world number four in 2017. The 28-year-old missed out on her first title of the season by losing finals in Rabat and Rome, before reaching the semi-finals of the French Open. She defeated American Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to set up a fifth meeting with Kvitova, who has beaten her three times. "She's a two-time Wimbledon champion. Her favourite surface and best surface is grass. I'm going to be coming up against a very inspired and tough Petra," Konta said. "Since coming back from that terrible thing that happened with her, she's playing unbelievable tennis. I'm looking forward to playing a great champion."

Unstoppable Petra Kvitova faces Johanna Konta test in Wimbledon fourth round

Teenager Coco Gauff has captivated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-simona-halep-defeats-victoria-azarenka-to-enter-round-four-233447">Wimbledon </a>with her extraordinary talent and youthful exuberance but, as her beaten opponent said on Tuesday, she is "probably older in her head than the numbers show".

The 15-year-old American exhibited remarkable maturity and poise to fight back from a set and 5-2 down in her third-round 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 defeat of Slovenian Polona Hercog.

Afterwards, a clearly delighted <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-teenager-cori-gauff-effortlessly-races-into-third-round-232951&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj73e7LyJ_jAhVFPY8KHb8bAzoQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_Kj1mpxn9kRqN8u0fYJ8I">Gauff</a>, who beat five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round before taking the scalps of former semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova and Hercog, switched between reflective adult and excited teenager.

"It's was pretty surreal how life changes in a matter of seconds," she said.

"I remember before I played Venus, as you know when you walk to leave the practice courts, there are people waiting. One little kid asked me for a picture. Then after the next day, after I played Venus, everybody was screaming my name."

She said it was awe-inspiring to walk out on Centre Court, describing it as "sacred" but she did not feel nervous.

"Obviously this moment is an incredible moment. I'm still excited I get to keep living it," she said, adding that defeats she had suffered in the past had helped her to achieve success this week.

"You really learn a lot from your loss. You don't learn too much when you win a lot," she said.

Gauff recovered from two match points against her on Tuesday to overcome Hercog in a match that lasted two hours 46 minutes and took her into Wimbledon's second week.

But the teenaged <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-15-year-old-cori-gauff-stuns-idol-venus-williams-to-steal-day-one-limelight-232214&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj73e7LyJ_jAhVFPY8KHb8bAzoQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw380msx-mnKafN67mmwhOnK">Gauff </a>appeared equally excited about a posting about her by Beyonce's mother, about a new album by Jaden Smith and about a video of her mother's celebration in the players' box on Tuesday going viral.

"Please tell me she's a meme. I'm so excited to go on Instagram," she laughed. "I'm going to retweet it and everything."

And she said it was "cool" to have won some $220,000 so far this week so she would probably buy some hoodies.

"I love wearing hoodies. My mom, she banned me from buying hoodies for two months. Every week I was getting new hoodies sent to the house," she said.

"I can't buy a car because I can't drive," added Gauff.

Teenager Coco Gauff has captivated Wimbledon with her extraordinary talent and youthful exuberance but, as her beaten opponent said on Tuesday, she is "probably older in her head than the numbers show".

Teenager Coco Gauff has captivated Wimbledon with her extraordinary talent and youthful exuberance but, as her beaten opponent said on Tuesday, she is "probably older in her head than the numbers show". The 15-year-old American exhibited remarkable maturity and poise to fight back from a set and 5-2 down in her third-round 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 defeat of Slovenian Polona Hercog. Afterwards, a clearly delighted Gauff, who beat five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round before taking the scalps of former semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova and Hercog, switched between reflective adult and excited teenager. "It's was pretty surreal how life changes in a matter of seconds," she said. "I remember before I played Venus, as you know when you walk to leave the practice courts, there are people waiting. One little kid asked me for a picture. Then after the next day, after I played Venus, everybody was screaming my name." She said it was awe-inspiring to walk out on Centre Court, describing it as "sacred" but she did not feel nervous. "Obviously this moment is an incredible moment. I'm still excited I get to keep living it," she said, adding that defeats she had suffered in the past had helped her to achieve success this week. "You really learn a lot from your loss. You don't learn too much when you win a lot," she said. Gauff recovered from two match points against her on Tuesday to overcome Hercog in a match that lasted two hours 46 minutes and took her into Wimbledon's second week. But the teenaged Gauff appeared equally excited about a posting about her by Beyonce's mother, about a new album by Jaden Smith and about a video of her mother's celebration in the players' box on Tuesday going viral. "Please tell me she's a meme. I'm so excited to go on Instagram," she laughed. "I'm going to retweet it and everything." And she said it was "cool" to have won some $220,000 so far this week so she would probably buy some hoodies. "I love wearing hoodies. My mom, she banned me from buying hoodies for two months. Every week I was getting new hoodies sent to the house," she said. "I can't buy a car because I can't drive," added Gauff.

Wimbledon: 15-year old Cori Gauff fights back to defeat Hercog, reaches round of 16

After Rafa Nadal won a thrilling four-set encounter with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-nick-kyrgios-admits-deliberately-hitting-ball-at-rafael-nadal-233181&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi4va_bzJ_jAhXFuY8KHc1vB2gQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nAolcIxGE4iVBp1vad-84">Nick Kyrgios</a>, the Spaniard repeated his lament that he had got a tough draw at the All England Club, ahead of his third-round clash against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday.

Although Nadal is ranked second in the world, his absence from numerous grasscourt tournaments ultimately gave him the third seeding at Wimbledon, prompting him to complain before the tournament got underway.

"It's true that I have been (handed) a tough draw, a tough opponent for a second round," Nadal said after his victory over Kyrgios. "You want to face less in a second-round like this, especially here.

"Now I have another tough opponent in Tsonga. Every match is tough, my draw is (a) tough one," <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-says-wimbledons-seedings-system-not-a-good-thing-230352&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi4va_bzJ_jAhXFuY8KHc1vB2gQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HPzidhwrP5f7RPWx9xoPz">Nadal </a>said.

While Nadal had to dig deep against Kyrgios, Tsonga has yet to drop a set.

The 34-year-old said he had been shown a lack of respect after his first-round opponent Bernard Tomic was fined for playing below standards in a match that lasted only 58 minutes - the shortest Wimbledon men's match for 15 years.

"In the third set he played and it was tight," Tsonga said. "And I played well to win this set. So I don't know."

Tsonga's frustration at his victory being questioned stems from his own struggles to claw his way back up the rankings after falling out of the top 100.

He played only 12 matches in 2018, missing three Grand Slams with a knee injury, which led to his singles ranking plummeting from 15 to 262.

A title win in Montpellier in February helped him to recover some measure of consistency and move up to 72nd, 70 places below Nadal.

Tsonga has an uncanny ability to get results against top players and he has beaten the Spaniard four times in his career, winning their last meeting in 2015.

The pair will have to wait for their Centre Court match-up though after women's top seed Ash Barty plays British wildcard, Harriet Dart.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-roger-federer-crushes-jay-clarke-eases-into-third-round-233168&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJjOvxzJ_jAhXKso8KHQNkD3IQFjAEegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2r0bzXcSl5Euj3LbovNbb4">Roger Federer</a> is also in action on Centre Court later on Saturday when he takes on Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

American Serena Williams plays Germany's Julia Goerges on Court One while Czech sixth seed Petra Kvitova takes on Poland's Magda Linette on Court Two.

After Rafa Nadal won a thrilling four-set encounter with Nick Kyrgios, the Spaniard repeated his lament that he had got a tough draw at the All England Club, ahead of his third-round clash against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday.

After Rafa Nadal won a thrilling four-set encounter with Nick Kyrgios, the Spaniard repeated his lament that he had got a tough draw at the All England Club, ahead of his third-round clash against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday. Although Nadal is ranked second in the world, his absence from numerous grasscourt tournaments ultimately gave him the third seeding at Wimbledon, prompting him to complain before the tournament got underway. "It's true that I have been (handed) a tough draw, a tough opponent for a second round," Nadal said after his victory over Kyrgios. "You want to face less in a second-round like this, especially here. "Now I have another tough opponent in Tsonga. Every match is tough, my draw is (a) tough one," Nadal said. While Nadal had to dig deep against Kyrgios, Tsonga has yet to drop a set. The 34-year-old said he had been shown a lack of respect after his first-round opponent Bernard Tomic was fined for playing below standards in a match that lasted only 58 minutes - the shortest Wimbledon men's match for 15 years. "In the third set he played and it was tight," Tsonga said. "And I played well to win this set. So I don't know." Tsonga's frustration at his victory being questioned stems from his own struggles to claw his way back up the rankings after falling out of the top 100. He played only 12 matches in 2018, missing three Grand Slams with a knee injury, which led to his singles ranking plummeting from 15 to 262. A title win in Montpellier in February helped him to recover some measure of consistency and move up to 72nd, 70 places below Nadal. Tsonga has an uncanny ability to get results against top players and he has beaten the Spaniard four times in his career, winning their last meeting in 2015. The pair will have to wait for their Centre Court match-up though after women's top seed Ash Barty plays British wildcard, Harriet Dart. Roger Federer is also in action on Centre Court later on Saturday when he takes on Frenchman Lucas Pouille. American Serena Williams plays Germany's Julia Goerges on Court One while Czech sixth seed Petra Kvitova takes on Poland's Magda Linette on Court Two.

Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal to battle tough Tsonga in third round

When Novak Djokovic stood with a hand on hip midway through the second-set tiebreak, glaring down at young Polish upstart Hubert Hurkacz, he could scarcely believe the drama unfolding before his eyes in his third-round Wimbledon showdown on Friday.

The world number one was caught up by hurricane Hurkacz as he came off second best in all the razzle-dazzle shots the 22-year-old could throw at him and he was also banned from wearing his baseball cap by the umpire as it fell foul of Wimbledon's all-white rules.

However, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-sweeps-through-under-keen-gaze-of-ivanisevic-232118&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwib7ovX05_jAhUX3o8KHWcPDYoQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dxM2SsmoLG8cdNSxORtkg">Djokovic </a>is not known as Mr Consistency for nothing and he survived all the hullabaloo to reach the last 16 for the 12th time at the grasscourt major with a 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 win.

"For the opposition, he is sickeningly consistent," summed up American great John McEnroe.

"He isn't flashy, he doesn't play with the same intensity point in point out as (Rafa) Nadal does, his shots are not as beautiful as (Roger) Federer's - but rock-solid is an understatement. He is so efficient," McEnroe said.

That efficiency has earned Djokovic 74 titles, including 15 majors, and more than $130 million in prize money.

Hurkacz, on the other hand, can only dream of such riches or records as his trophy cabinet lies empty while his bank balance would be considered loose change in Djokovic's pocket.

Playing the Serbian for the second time at a major in five weeks, the world number 48 was expected to roll over in straight sets, just as he had done at Roland Garros.

But when the top seed was told by umpire Carlos Bernardes to remove his baseball cap midway through the first set, for a while it looked like he had been shorn of his super-powers as he missed three break points in the sixth game.

"The last match on Centre Court, I played with the hat. The same hat I took out now, I was not able to play with it," <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-defending-champion-novak-djokovic-eases-into-third-round-232930&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwib7ovX05_jAhUX3o8KHWcPDYoQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3-89AoIJ7KeDX8dxT3JQM2">Djokovic</a>, the only top-10 seed left in the top half of the draw, said with a shrug.

AUDACIOUS SHOTS

The four-times champion eventually broke for a 6-5 lead but not before Hurkacz had offered a glimpse of what was to come in the second set as he acrobatically fell to his stomach and his racket went flying while chasing down a Djokovic drop shot.

Hurkacz raised his fist to the roaring Court One crowd when he gave Djokovic the run-around during a delightful, 29-shot exchange that culminated with a sliced forehand winner in the third game of the second.

The hollering fans were on their feet again when he earned a set point at 6-5 up on Djokovic's serve with a brilliant diving winner that would have made <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/boris-becker-auctions-trophies-to-pay-off-debts-229944&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj6w_n_05_jAhVinI8KHZj9DbwQFjABegQIEBAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Y6wVinTytae78kZ-VbYP3">Boris Becker</a> proud.

The crowd groaned when he fluffed the next point but the thrills kept on coming in the tiebreak as he finished off a 30-stroke rally by punching away a volley as he fell into the splits.

Djokovic simply could not believe the audacious shots that kept flying his way and he would have been even less pleased when Hurkacz levelled the match on this third set point with a blazing crosscourt winner.

But, as the Pole found out to his dismay in double quick time, winning even one set against one of tennis's Big Three sucks up an enormous amount of energy.

To win three is nigh on impossible during the first week of a major and so it proved. Hurkacz's challenge fizzled out in the next two sets as he discovered that while the heart was willing, the tiring legs could not keep up.

"Djokovic sets the bar so high. You have to play the match of your life just to stay in it. Hurkacz played exceptionally well, he just didn't have enough in the tank," added McEnroe.

After dropping his first set at this year's championships, the Serb will be looking to do better when he meets France's Ugo Humbert on Monday.

When Novak Djokovic stood with a hand on hip midway through the second-set tiebreak, glaring down at young Polish upstart Hubert Hurkacz, he could scarcely believe the drama unfolding before his eyes in his third-round Wimbledon showdown on Friday.

When Novak Djokovic stood with a hand on hip midway through the second-set tiebreak, glaring down at young Polish upstart Hubert Hurkacz, he could scarcely believe the drama unfolding before his eyes in his third-round Wimbledon showdown on Friday. The world number one was caught up by hurricane Hurkacz as he came off second best in all the razzle-dazzle shots the 22-year-old could throw at him and he was also banned from wearing his baseball cap by the umpire as it fell foul of Wimbledon's all-white rules. However, Djokovic is not known as Mr Consistency for nothing and he survived all the hullabaloo to reach the last 16 for the 12th time at the grasscourt major with a 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 win. "For the opposition, he is sickeningly consistent," summed up American great John McEnroe. "He isn't flashy, he doesn't play with the same intensity point in point out as (Rafa) Nadal does, his shots are not as beautiful as (Roger) Federer's - but rock-solid is an understatement. He is so efficient," McEnroe said. That efficiency has earned Djokovic 74 titles, including 15 majors, and more than $130 million in prize money. Hurkacz, on the other hand, can only dream of such riches or records as his trophy cabinet lies empty while his bank balance would be considered loose change in Djokovic's pocket. Playing the Serbian for the second time at a major in five weeks, the world number 48 was expected to roll over in straight sets, just as he had done at Roland Garros. But when the top seed was told by umpire Carlos Bernardes to remove his baseball cap midway through the first set, for a while it looked like he had been shorn of his super-powers as he missed three break points in the sixth game. "The last match on Centre Court, I played with the hat. The same hat I took out now, I was not able to play with it," Djokovic, the only top-10 seed left in the top half of the draw, said with a shrug. AUDACIOUS SHOTS The four-times champion eventually broke for a 6-5 lead but not before Hurkacz had offered a glimpse of what was to come in the second set as he acrobatically fell to his stomach and his racket went flying while chasing down a Djokovic drop shot. Hurkacz raised his fist to the roaring Court One crowd when he gave Djokovic the run-around during a delightful, 29-shot exchange that culminated with a sliced forehand winner in the third game of the second. The hollering fans were on their feet again when he earned a set point at 6-5 up on Djokovic's serve with a brilliant diving winner that would have made Boris Becker proud. The crowd groaned when he fluffed the next point but the thrills kept on coming in the tiebreak as he finished off a 30-stroke rally by punching away a volley as he fell into the splits. Djokovic simply could not believe the audacious shots that kept flying his way and he would have been even less pleased when Hurkacz levelled the match on this third set point with a blazing crosscourt winner. But, as the Pole found out to his dismay in double quick time, winning even one set against one of tennis's Big Three sucks up an enormous amount of energy. To win three is nigh on impossible during the first week of a major and so it proved. Hurkacz's challenge fizzled out in the next two sets as he discovered that while the heart was willing, the tiring legs could not keep up. "Djokovic sets the bar so high. You have to play the match of your life just to stay in it. Hurkacz played exceptionally well, he just didn't have enough in the tank," added McEnroe. After dropping his first set at this year's championships, the Serb will be looking to do better when he meets France's Ugo Humbert on Monday.

Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic survives hurricane Hurkacz to reach last 16

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-survives-hurricane-hurkacz-to-reach-last-16-233493">Novak Djokovic</a> blasted the decision to strip Bernard Tomic of his entire £45,000 ($56,000) Wimbledon prize money as "unfair."

The controversial Australian was punished by the All England Club for tanking in his first-round match which was over in just 58 minutes.

The 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the shortest men's match at the tournament.

"I don't think it's fair to take all his prize money away," said Djokovic on Friday.

"I have to see obviously his behaviour, movement on the court, how much effort he put in. He deserved his right to be in this tournament. He's a top 100 player.&nbsp;

"He's worked all year to be here. He deserves most of that prize money."

World number one and defending Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who is also the president of the ATP Player Council, believes other factors could have come into play which would have been mitigating.

"It's not nice for the crowd, the other players that maybe would want to be in the position to fight to get to the second round.&nbsp;

"But he played against Tsonga, who is a great player on grass."

Novak Djokovic blasted the decision to strip Bernard Tomic of his entire £45,000 ($56,000) Wimbledon prize money as "unfair." The controversial Australian was punished by the All England Club for tanking in his first-round match which was over in just 58 minutes.

Novak Djokovic blasted the decision to strip Bernard Tomic of his entire £45,000 ($56,000) Wimbledon prize money as "unfair." The controversial Australian was punished by the All England Club for tanking in his first-round match which was over in just 58 minutes. The 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the shortest men's match at the tournament. "I don't think it's fair to take all his prize money away," said Djokovic on Friday. "I have to see obviously his behaviour, movement on the court, how much effort he put in. He deserved his right to be in this tournament. He's a top 100 player. "He's worked all year to be here. He deserves most of that prize money." World number one and defending Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who is also the president of the ATP Player Council, believes other factors could have come into play which would have been mitigating. "It's not nice for the crowd, the other players that maybe would want to be in the position to fight to get to the second round. "But he played against Tsonga, who is a great player on grass."

Novak Djokovic says Bernard Tomic's £45,000 Wimbledon penalty 'unfair'

Simona Halep was supposedly having a 'chill' year, but for a little over an hour on Wimbledon's Centre Court the ice-cool Romanian was on fire as she swatted aside Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-1 on Friday to reach the fourth round.&nbsp;

Halep's form has understandably dipped since she won the French Open last year to lift the weighty millstone of several Grand Slam final failures and she said her intention in 2019 was to mentally ease off the throttle.&nbsp;

Yet any suggestion that her hunger had diminished was emphatically dispelled as she absorbed everything Azarenka could muster and then dismantled her fellow former world number one to progress for the loss of four games.&nbsp;

That statistic was all the more remarkable considering Azarenka, ranked 40th in the world, had broken in the fourth game of the first set to take a 3-1 lead, an advantage that was comprehensively erased.&nbsp;

Halep, who began the year as world number one, has slipped to seventh in the rankings, having reached the last eight only once in the last four majors, but there was plenty to suggest the claycourt specialist is a contender at the All England Club.&nbsp;

"I think was my best match this year. I played really well. I felt actually very confident. I've been aggressive all the match, even if I was 3-1 down first set," she said.&nbsp;

After suffering that early break, Halep won six straight games and from that point, there was no looking back.&nbsp;

Azarenka, who had dispatched her second-round opponent by winning 12 consecutive games, made only one further mark on the scoreboard against Halep, to level at 1-1 in the second set, before the Romanian put her foot to the floor to win five more games on the bounce.&nbsp;

She brought up three match points with a precise midcourt dropshot and, after spurning the first, put Azarenka out of her on-court misery, when the Belarusian netted a return.&nbsp;

For Azarenka, who only returned to the world's top 50 in February following the birth of her son at the end of 2016, it was a chastening experience.&nbsp;

Her frustrations were laid bare at times as she slammed her racket into the turf in the first set, receiving a code violation from the umpire, before she fell to her knees with head in hands after smacking a simple put-away into the net.

She later described the umpire's decision to apply the letter of the law when she threw her racket as "pathetic".

"It's like you have to be with no single emotion on the court, and that's just not tennis. I'm sorry, but it's not," she said.

Next up for ice-cool Halep is a potentially mouth-watering clash with Cori Gauff, providing the 15-year-old American can get past Polona Hercog.

Simona Halep was supposedly having a 'chill' year, but for a little over an hour on Wimbledon's Centre Court the ice-cool Romanian was on fire as she swatted aside Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-1 on Friday to reach the fourth round.

Simona Halep was supposedly having a 'chill' year, but for a little over an hour on Wimbledon's Centre Court the ice-cool Romanian was on fire as she swatted aside Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-1 on Friday to reach the fourth round. Halep's form has understandably dipped since she won the French Open last year to lift the weighty millstone of several Grand Slam final failures and she said her intention in 2019 was to mentally ease off the throttle. Yet any suggestion that her hunger had diminished was emphatically dispelled as she absorbed everything Azarenka could muster and then dismantled her fellow former world number one to progress for the loss of four games. That statistic was all the more remarkable considering Azarenka, ranked 40th in the world, had broken in the fourth game of the first set to take a 3-1 lead, an advantage that was comprehensively erased. Halep, who began the year as world number one, has slipped to seventh in the rankings, having reached the last eight only once in the last four majors, but there was plenty to suggest the claycourt specialist is a contender at the All England Club. "I think was my best match this year. I played really well. I felt actually very confident. I've been aggressive all the match, even if I was 3-1 down first set," she said. After suffering that early break, Halep won six straight games and from that point, there was no looking back. Azarenka, who had dispatched her second-round opponent by winning 12 consecutive games, made only one further mark on the scoreboard against Halep, to level at 1-1 in the second set, before the Romanian put her foot to the floor to win five more games on the bounce. She brought up three match points with a precise midcourt dropshot and, after spurning the first, put Azarenka out of her on-court misery, when the Belarusian netted a return. For Azarenka, who only returned to the world's top 50 in February following the birth of her son at the end of 2016, it was a chastening experience. Her frustrations were laid bare at times as she slammed her racket into the turf in the first set, receiving a code violation from the umpire, before she fell to her knees with head in hands after smacking a simple put-away into the net. She later described the umpire's decision to apply the letter of the law when she threw her racket as "pathetic". "It's like you have to be with no single emotion on the court, and that's just not tennis. I'm sorry, but it's not," she said. Next up for ice-cool Halep is a potentially mouth-watering clash with Cori Gauff, providing the 15-year-old American can get past Polona Hercog.

Wimbledon: Simona Halep defeats Victoria Azarenka to enter round four

With his usual level of ruthlessness and near effortless efficiency, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-roger-federer-seeded-second-rafael-nadal-drops-to-three-230601&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqndSBhZ3jAhVsyosBHTwJChUQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Tso-4vIwP9IrBlufv9f8N">Roger Federer</a> dashed home hopes of an outlandish upset at Wimbledon by easing into the third round with a straight-sets victory over Britain's Jay Clarke on Thursday.

There were just enough of the usual flourishes and moments of brilliance to suggest the Swiss is firmly on track to challenge for a ninth Wimbledon title, but he faced limited real resistance in the 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 win over the world number 169.

Federer had never lost a Grand Slam match to somebody as low as Clarke in the rankings and, despite the Briton putting up a brave fight in the second set, the huge gulf in class ultimately ensured the Swiss never had to get out of second gear.

Clarke was clearly jittery although Federer was not in the mood to check before going in for the kill.

"I sensed he was a bit nervous in the beginning with his double-faults in the first game... That's the only way I can tell if he's nervous. I'm not going to put my hand on his chest and check is the pulse higher or not, I can't do that," he joked.

Federer has played enough matches at Wimbledon to know he only needs to get the job done in the early rounds and if the 20-year-old Clarke takes one lesson from his experience on Court One, it will be the killer instinct of the game's elite.

Clarke had two opportunities to break the Federer serve in the first set and they went begging, while Federer had five breakpoints in the match and, with cold-blooded ruthlessness, took four of them.

"I think that's the biggest thing about playing those guys, how they handle certain situations, what shots they choose, how they save breakpoints," said Clarke, who was only playing his third match at Wimbledon.

"There are so many things you can learn. You don't actually need to ask a lot of questions ... I think I had two breakpoints ... and he aced me in different directions. Maybe I'll learn a bit better for the next time," <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-clarke-dumps-dart-last-minute-to-pair-up-with-cori-gauff-for-mixed-doubles-233018&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiE-_aVhZ3jAhUmG6YKHaL3CfYQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qzyDjN2h_Mq0AAytGjoDj">Clarke </a>said.

Chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, Federer blasted out of the blocks, winning the opening set in double quick time, before Clarke got a foothold in the contest, holding serve throughout the second set to force a tiebreak.

The home crowd began to sense the beginnings of an upset when Clarke secured a mini-break on the Federer serve, but it was a fleeting advantage, with the Swiss taking the set and breaking early in the third.

Clarke handed Federer match point with a double fault and he wrapped up the contest when the Briton sent a backhand wide.

"I really enjoyed myself. The tank is full. I came here with a lot of confidence, the first few matches haven't been very taxing physically. You try to win your matches regardless of the score if you win them in straights that's better," Federer said.

The Swiss will next face Frenchman Lucas Pouille after he overcame compatriot Gregoire Barrere.

With his usual level of ruthlessness and near effortless efficiency, Roger Federer dashed home hopes of an outlandish upset at Wimbledon by easing into the third round with a straight-sets victory over Britain's Jay Clarke on Thursday.

With his usual level of ruthlessness and near effortless efficiency, Roger Federer dashed home hopes of an outlandish upset at Wimbledon by easing into the third round with a straight-sets victory over Britain's Jay Clarke on Thursday. There were just enough of the usual flourishes and moments of brilliance to suggest the Swiss is firmly on track to challenge for a ninth Wimbledon title, but he faced limited real resistance in the 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 win over the world number 169. Federer had never lost a Grand Slam match to somebody as low as Clarke in the rankings and, despite the Briton putting up a brave fight in the second set, the huge gulf in class ultimately ensured the Swiss never had to get out of second gear. Clarke was clearly jittery although Federer was not in the mood to check before going in for the kill. "I sensed he was a bit nervous in the beginning with his double-faults in the first game... That's the only way I can tell if he's nervous. I'm not going to put my hand on his chest and check is the pulse higher or not, I can't do that," he joked. Federer has played enough matches at Wimbledon to know he only needs to get the job done in the early rounds and if the 20-year-old Clarke takes one lesson from his experience on Court One, it will be the killer instinct of the game's elite. Clarke had two opportunities to break the Federer serve in the first set and they went begging, while Federer had five breakpoints in the match and, with cold-blooded ruthlessness, took four of them. "I think that's the biggest thing about playing those guys, how they handle certain situations, what shots they choose, how they save breakpoints," said Clarke, who was only playing his third match at Wimbledon. "There are so many things you can learn. You don't actually need to ask a lot of questions ... I think I had two breakpoints ... and he aced me in different directions. Maybe I'll learn a bit better for the next time," Clarke said. Chasing a 21st Grand Slam title, Federer blasted out of the blocks, winning the opening set in double quick time, before Clarke got a foothold in the contest, holding serve throughout the second set to force a tiebreak. The home crowd began to sense the beginnings of an upset when Clarke secured a mini-break on the Federer serve, but it was a fleeting advantage, with the Swiss taking the set and breaking early in the third. Clarke handed Federer match point with a double fault and he wrapped up the contest when the Briton sent a backhand wide. "I really enjoyed myself. The tank is full. I came here with a lot of confidence, the first few matches haven't been very taxing physically. You try to win your matches regardless of the score if you win them in straights that's better," Federer said. The Swiss will next face Frenchman Lucas Pouille after he overcame compatriot Gregoire Barrere.

Wimbledon: Roger Federer crushes Jay Clarke, eases into third round

Defending champion <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-defending-champion-angelique-kerber-outclasses-tricky-compatriot-232606&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiN7-uciZ3jAhXFDaYKHUsUAfIQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1xl7BDTMGryEjmxo1OCmAf">Angelique Kerber</a> was dumped out of Wimbledon on Thursday as she suffered a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 second-round defeat by American Lauren Davis, who began the year ranked outside the world's top 250.

Davis, who at 5 ft 2 in (1.57 metres) is a diminutive figure on the women's tour, stood tall to secure a remarkable victory over the three-times Grand Slam champion who beat Serena Williams to win <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/angelique-kerber-outclasses-serena-williams-to-clinch-her-first-wimbledon-title--151717&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiN7-uciZ3jAhXFDaYKHUsUAfIQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2hPEvqL605NSrb2_RIBGoM">last year's final</a>.

German Kerber raced through the first set before the match turned wildly on its head and Davis, who needed a lucky-loser spot to play in the tournament, lost only three more games.

After taking the second set, the 25-year-old Davis turned the screw on Court Two and wrapped up victory in an hour and 55 minutes when fifth seed Kerber netted.

"It's definitely surreal," said Davis, who had previously been a top-30 player but had fallen to 252 in the world by the end of 2018.

A rapid rise back up the rankings had taken her up to number 95 heading into Wimbledon, where she lost in the qualifiers before being handed a reprieve with a lucky loser spot after a wildcard entry went unused.

"It's definitely been incredible. I was super disappointed having lost the last round of quallies," she said. "I found out less than two hours later that I got into main. I was ecstatic ... It's honestly a dream being here."

Davis was the more aggressive, outhitting Kerber with 45 winners to 13, and broke the German's serve eight times in the match to set up a third-round meeting with number 30 seed Carla Suarez Navarro.

The contest had started well for Kerber as she broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set and then again to love in the eighth game to clinch the opener.

Yet after a visit from the trainer, Davis turned the encounter on its head.

After the second set began with three breaks of serve, Davis held to get her nose ahead 3-1 and broke again for a 4-1 lead.

After failing to convert her first two match points at 5-1, Davis made no mistake with the third when a strong return forced Kerber to net.

"Of course I'm disappointed. Of course, it's not the way I would like to finish here or to play here. But you have sometimes days like that. You have to accept it. You have to learn from it, trying to forget this as soon as possible," said Kerber.

Defending champion Angelique Kerber was dumped out of Wimbledon on Thursday as she suffered a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 second-round defeat by American Lauren Davis, who began the year ranked outside the world's top 250.

Defending champion Angelique Kerber was dumped out of Wimbledon on Thursday as she suffered a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 second-round defeat by American Lauren Davis, who began the year ranked outside the world's top 250. Davis, who at 5 ft 2 in (1.57 metres) is a diminutive figure on the women's tour, stood tall to secure a remarkable victory over the three-times Grand Slam champion who beat Serena Williams to win last year's final. German Kerber raced through the first set before the match turned wildly on its head and Davis, who needed a lucky-loser spot to play in the tournament, lost only three more games. After taking the second set, the 25-year-old Davis turned the screw on Court Two and wrapped up victory in an hour and 55 minutes when fifth seed Kerber netted. "It's definitely surreal," said Davis, who had previously been a top-30 player but had fallen to 252 in the world by the end of 2018. A rapid rise back up the rankings had taken her up to number 95 heading into Wimbledon, where she lost in the qualifiers before being handed a reprieve with a lucky loser spot after a wildcard entry went unused. "It's definitely been incredible. I was super disappointed having lost the last round of quallies," she said. "I found out less than two hours later that I got into main. I was ecstatic ... It's honestly a dream being here." Davis was the more aggressive, outhitting Kerber with 45 winners to 13, and broke the German's serve eight times in the match to set up a third-round meeting with number 30 seed Carla Suarez Navarro. The contest had started well for Kerber as she broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set and then again to love in the eighth game to clinch the opener. Yet after a visit from the trainer, Davis turned the encounter on its head. After the second set began with three breaks of serve, Davis held to get her nose ahead 3-1 and broke again for a 4-1 lead. After failing to convert her first two match points at 5-1, Davis made no mistake with the third when a strong return forced Kerber to net. "Of course I'm disappointed. Of course, it's not the way I would like to finish here or to play here. But you have sometimes days like that. You have to accept it. You have to learn from it, trying to forget this as soon as possible," said Kerber.

Wimbledon: Defending champion Angelique Kerber ousted by Lauren Davis

Nick Kyrgios admitted he meant to spear a forehand directly at Rafael Nadal in their <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-nick-kyrgios-and-rafael-nadal-set-to-renew-salty-rivalry-232630&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiT24W3i53jAhWQ-2EKHWGQD9EQFjAEegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Bsz_9Q9JegKvRuN92v21N">bad-tempered Wimbledon clash</a> on Thursday.

Nadal triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3) in a second-round Centre Court duel which saw the combustible Australian pick up a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour and wage a bitter war of words with umpire Damien Dumusois.

He called the official a "disgrace", describing his handling of the explosive tie as "pathetic" for failing to warn the Spaniard over what he claimed was his pedestrian pace of play.

The two players faced down each other in the eighth game of the third set when Nadal had to take evasive action with his racquet to fend off a blistering forehand aimed straight at him by the Australian.

"I was going for him. Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he's got decent hands," said 24-year-old Kyrgios.

"Why would I apologise? I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account?&nbsp;

"I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I'm not going to apologise to him at all," Kyrgios said.

Nadal said he was unconcerned for his own safety when the ball came towards him at high speed but feared for others if the ball had gone astray.

"When he hits the ball like this, it is dangerous. It's not dangerous for me, it is dangerous for a line referee, dangerous for the crowd," said the two-time Wimbledon champion.

"I know when you hit this kind of ball, the ball can go anywhere. This time the ball went in, almost hit me, no problem.''

"I am a professional, so I know how to avoid this. But another one, the ball goes straight to the back. That ball hits an eye or something like this, it is a problem," Nadal said.

Kyrgios, who famously announced himself to the tennis world when he defeated Nadal at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-clarke-dumps-dart-last-minute-to-pair-up-with-cori-gauff-for-mixed-doubles-233018">Wimbledon </a>in 2014 as a wild card ranked at 144, spent the eve of Thursday's match in a local bar.

It was a decision he did not regret.

"You look way too excited to ask that question. You must have a really boring life," he chastised a reporter.

Nadal had suggested that Kyrgios does have the makings of a Grand Slam champion but the Australian doubts he has the work ethic to achieve such a lofty ambition.

"I know what I'm capable of. Just depends. I'm a great tennis player, but I don't do the other stuff.''

"I'm not the most professional guy. I won't train day in, day out. I won't show up every day. So there's a lot of things I need to improve on to get to that level that Rafa brings, Novak (Djokovic), <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-roger-federer-seeded-second-rafael-nadal-drops-to-three-230601&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjE5prMi53jAhVS62EKHTAGALIQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw18IqpNUoX1HDeIliN5WzYN">Roger </a>(Federer) have been doing for so long.''

"Just depends how bad I want it. But, no, at the moment I don't think I can contend for a Grand Slam," Kyrgios said.

But Nadal insisted that all Kyrgios needs is respect for the sport, something which he accused the Australian of patently lacking when they clashed in Acapulco in February.

"If, if, if. Doesn't exist. There are a lot of important things that you need to do to become a champion,'' Nadal said.

"He has a lot of good ingredients. But, of course, there remains an important one sometimes, and that is the love, the passion for this game. Without really loving this game that much, is difficult to achieve important things," added Nadal.

Nick Kyrgios admitted he meant to spear a forehand directly at Rafael Nadal in their bad-tempered Wimbledon clash on Thursday. Nadal triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3) in a second-round Centre Court duel which saw the combustible Australian pick up a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour and wage a bitter war of words with umpire Damien Dumusois.

Nick Kyrgios admitted he meant to spear a forehand directly at Rafael Nadal in their bad-tempered Wimbledon clash on Thursday. Nadal triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3) in a second-round Centre Court duel which saw the combustible Australian pick up a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour and wage a bitter war of words with umpire Damien Dumusois. He called the official a "disgrace", describing his handling of the explosive tie as "pathetic" for failing to warn the Spaniard over what he claimed was his pedestrian pace of play. The two players faced down each other in the eighth game of the third set when Nadal had to take evasive action with his racquet to fend off a blistering forehand aimed straight at him by the Australian. "I was going for him. Yeah, I wanted to hit him square in the chest. Like, he's got decent hands," said 24-year-old Kyrgios. "Why would I apologise? I mean, the dude has got how many slams, how much money in the bank account? "I think he can take a ball to the chest, bro. I'm not going to apologise to him at all," Kyrgios said. Nadal said he was unconcerned for his own safety when the ball came towards him at high speed but feared for others if the ball had gone astray. "When he hits the ball like this, it is dangerous. It's not dangerous for me, it is dangerous for a line referee, dangerous for the crowd," said the two-time Wimbledon champion. "I know when you hit this kind of ball, the ball can go anywhere. This time the ball went in, almost hit me, no problem.'' "I am a professional, so I know how to avoid this. But another one, the ball goes straight to the back. That ball hits an eye or something like this, it is a problem," Nadal said. Kyrgios, who famously announced himself to the tennis world when he defeated Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014 as a wild card ranked at 144, spent the eve of Thursday's match in a local bar. It was a decision he did not regret. "You look way too excited to ask that question. You must have a really boring life," he chastised a reporter. Nadal had suggested that Kyrgios does have the makings of a Grand Slam champion but the Australian doubts he has the work ethic to achieve such a lofty ambition. "I know what I'm capable of. Just depends. I'm a great tennis player, but I don't do the other stuff.'' "I'm not the most professional guy. I won't train day in, day out. I won't show up every day. So there's a lot of things I need to improve on to get to that level that Rafa brings, Novak (Djokovic), Roger (Federer) have been doing for so long.'' "Just depends how bad I want it. But, no, at the moment I don't think I can contend for a Grand Slam," Kyrgios said. But Nadal insisted that all Kyrgios needs is respect for the sport, something which he accused the Australian of patently lacking when they clashed in Acapulco in February. "If, if, if. Doesn't exist. There are a lot of important things that you need to do to become a champion,'' Nadal said. "He has a lot of good ingredients. But, of course, there remains an important one sometimes, and that is the love, the passion for this game. Without really loving this game that much, is difficult to achieve important things," added Nadal.

Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios admits deliberately hitting ball at Rafael Nadal

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova served superbly to beat Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on Friday and reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the second time.

Czech third seed Pliskova fired down 14 aces on Court One to counter the unorthodox Hsieh's fast feet and soft hands, securing victory in an hour and 46 minutes.

"I thought my serve was amazing today... I'd love to call myself a specialist on grass," Pliskova said. "This year I'm doing better and I've made the second week.

"On grass she's a very tough opponent, she's done a good job the past couple of months and I'm just super pleased that I've made it," added Pliskova, who lost to Hsieh in Dubai this year.

"There's nobody like this playing any more in the draw so I think I'll feel much better in the next match after this test," Pliskova added.

Both players started the opening set strongly before an unusually untidy game by world number 16 Hsieh allowed Pliskova to claim a break for a 5-3 lead.

That was the opening the 27-year-old needed as she switched gears and closed out the set with her sixth ace.

Hsieh responded with an early break in the second set to race 4-2 ahead and the 33-year-old Taiwanese saved four break points in the seventh game before taking the match into a decider.

Pliskova, who beat last year's Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the Eastbourne final last week, put Hsieh on the back foot with searing groundstrokes early in the third set to break for a 3-1 lead.

Appearing less rattled by Hsieh's variations as the match wore on, Pliskova staved off a late comeback attempt by Hsieh to close out victory.

Up next for Pliskova is Czech compatriot Karolina Muchova who beat 20th seed Anett Kontaveit 7-6(7), 6-3.

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova served superbly to beat Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on Friday and reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the second time. Czech third seed Pliskova fired down 14 aces on Court One to counter the unorthodox Hsieh's fast feet and soft hands, securing victory in an hour and 46 minutes.

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova served superbly to beat Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on Friday and reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the second time. Czech third seed Pliskova fired down 14 aces on Court One to counter the unorthodox Hsieh's fast feet and soft hands, securing victory in an hour and 46 minutes. "I thought my serve was amazing today... I'd love to call myself a specialist on grass," Pliskova said. "This year I'm doing better and I've made the second week. "On grass she's a very tough opponent, she's done a good job the past couple of months and I'm just super pleased that I've made it," added Pliskova, who lost to Hsieh in Dubai this year. "There's nobody like this playing any more in the draw so I think I'll feel much better in the next match after this test," Pliskova added. Both players started the opening set strongly before an unusually untidy game by world number 16 Hsieh allowed Pliskova to claim a break for a 5-3 lead. That was the opening the 27-year-old needed as she switched gears and closed out the set with her sixth ace. Hsieh responded with an early break in the second set to race 4-2 ahead and the 33-year-old Taiwanese saved four break points in the seventh game before taking the match into a decider. Pliskova, who beat last year's Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the Eastbourne final last week, put Hsieh on the back foot with searing groundstrokes early in the third set to break for a 3-1 lead. Appearing less rattled by Hsieh's variations as the match wore on, Pliskova staved off a late comeback attempt by Hsieh to close out victory. Up next for Pliskova is Czech compatriot Karolina Muchova who beat 20th seed Anett Kontaveit 7-6(7), 6-3.

Wimbledon: Karolina Pliskova beats Hsieh to enter last 16

Reilly Opelka blasted his way into the third round at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-victoria-azarenka-powers-into-third-round-232782">Wimbledon </a>on Wednesday as the giant 21-year-old American's serve eventually proved too hot to handle for triple grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka in a high-octane five set duel.

Opelka came through 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 against the 22nd seeded Swiss for the biggest win of his career and there will be plenty of bigger names in the draw now scrabbling anxiously for a tape of this match.

"It's a huge win. More so the situation of the match being down two sets to one against him," Opelka told reporters.

"He got really comfortable, started hitting some really good returns. I had to adjust a lot. My mind was always thinking, especially after I lost the third set,"&nbsp;Opelka said.

At 6ft 11in (2.10 metres) the former Wimbledon junior champion is the joint-tallest-ever ATP-ranked player (with Ivo Karlovic) and, unsurprisingly, his biggest weapon is his serve. It reached 142mph (228kph) on Wednesday - the fastest of the Championship so far - and, combined with some surprisingly deft court movement, is the perfect Wimbledon weapon.

Wawrinka, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-serena-williams-form-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-dream-team-232624">Wimbledon </a>despite winning all three of the other slams and previously reaching number three in the world rankings, could not deal with it at all in the first set.

The 34-year-old eventually used all his experience to work things out and start getting it back and then treating the crowd to some of his sublime backhand winners en route to taking the second and third.

But, just as it seemed as if he would go through smoothly, Opelka found another gear to snatch the fourth.

From then on Wawrinka was having to work harder and harder to hold, while rarely threatening to break. The full match statistics showed the American successful with 73 per cent of first serves compared to the 64 per cent of Wawrinka and Opelka lifted that to a remarkable 91 per cent in the fifth set.

Those figures proved the difference eventually as Wawrinka, at full stretch to even reach, let alone return most of them, was eventually worn down.

"I started holding more easily, I'd had to save so many breakpoints before that," Opelka said of the turnaround. "I made some adjustments and was then able to spend more energy trying to break."

Opelka, who will next face 15th seed Milos Raonic, said that he had "always been a pretty good mover - underrated maybe. Some guys don't expect it when they play me for the first time."

In a period of declining fortunes for American men's tennis, the victory was warmly welcomed former world number four and highly respected coach Brad Gilbert. "Wow, what a clutch performance from big fella Opelka in winning 1st career 5 setter over Stanimal," he tweeted.

Wawrinka had few complaints. "Against those big servers you know you're not going to have a lot of chances and you get under pressure a little bit more," he said.

''At the end, he went for it. He went bigger than me, more aggressive, and he deserved to win," said Wawrinka.

Reilly Opelka blasted his way into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday as the giant 21-year-old American's serve eventually proved too hot to handle for triple grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka in a high-octane five set duel.

Reilly Opelka blasted his way into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday as the giant 21-year-old American's serve eventually proved too hot to handle for triple grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka in a high-octane five set duel. Opelka came through 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 against the 22nd seeded Swiss for the biggest win of his career and there will be plenty of bigger names in the draw now scrabbling anxiously for a tape of this match. "It's a huge win. More so the situation of the match being down two sets to one against him," Opelka told reporters. "He got really comfortable, started hitting some really good returns. I had to adjust a lot. My mind was always thinking, especially after I lost the third set," Opelka said. At 6ft 11in (2.10 metres) the former Wimbledon junior champion is the joint-tallest-ever ATP-ranked player (with Ivo Karlovic) and, unsurprisingly, his biggest weapon is his serve. It reached 142mph (228kph) on Wednesday - the fastest of the Championship so far - and, combined with some surprisingly deft court movement, is the perfect Wimbledon weapon. Wawrinka, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at Wimbledon despite winning all three of the other slams and previously reaching number three in the world rankings, could not deal with it at all in the first set. The 34-year-old eventually used all his experience to work things out and start getting it back and then treating the crowd to some of his sublime backhand winners en route to taking the second and third. But, just as it seemed as if he would go through smoothly, Opelka found another gear to snatch the fourth. From then on Wawrinka was having to work harder and harder to hold, while rarely threatening to break. The full match statistics showed the American successful with 73 per cent of first serves compared to the 64 per cent of Wawrinka and Opelka lifted that to a remarkable 91 per cent in the fifth set. Those figures proved the difference eventually as Wawrinka, at full stretch to even reach, let alone return most of them, was eventually worn down. "I started holding more easily, I'd had to save so many breakpoints before that," Opelka said of the turnaround. "I made some adjustments and was then able to spend more energy trying to break." Opelka, who will next face 15th seed Milos Raonic, said that he had "always been a pretty good mover - underrated maybe. Some guys don't expect it when they play me for the first time." In a period of declining fortunes for American men's tennis, the victory was warmly welcomed former world number four and highly respected coach Brad Gilbert. "Wow, what a clutch performance from big fella Opelka in winning 1st career 5 setter over Stanimal," he tweeted. Wawrinka had few complaints. "Against those big servers you know you're not going to have a lot of chances and you get under pressure a little bit more," he said. ''At the end, he went for it. He went bigger than me, more aggressive, and he deserved to win," said Wawrinka.

Wimbledon: Reilly Opelka blasts past Stan Wawrinka into third round

Novak Djokovic trails Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in many of the game's most important metrics, but when it comes to consistently reaching the third round at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-ashleigh-barty-embraces-number-one-tag-cruises-into-second-round-232654">Wimbledon</a>, which he achieved with dazzling ease on Wednesday, he leaves his rivals in his wake.

The Serb dismantled American Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 with ruthless efficiency and just enough flamboyance to satisfy the Centre Court crowd.

That put him in the last 32 at the All England Club for the 11th straight year, a professional-era mark only surpassed by American Jimmy Connors -&nbsp;and one more than the game's most decorated player Federer.

Consistency has become the Serb's hallmark. While he may lack the shotmaking brilliance of Federer or the raw power and energy of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-nick-kyrgios-and-rafael-nadal-set-to-renew-salty-rivalry-232630">Nadal</a>, he rarely allows his level to slip below a supremely high watermark.

Which makes slip-ups against those plying their trade at the level of Kudla an exceptionally rare occurrence.

"Consistency was one of the keys and focus points of my Grand Slam career going back 10 years -&nbsp;I always aim to play my best in Grand Slams," he said after a one-hour-and-33-minute stroll that only occasionally flickered into life as a contest.

"I guess the quality of tennis that I produce in the slams is pretty high. That's what allows me to have the results like this," Djokovic said.

The world number one had only once lost to a player lower than the 111th-ranked Kudla in a Grand Slam -&nbsp;to Denis Istomin at the 2017 Australian Open - and there was never any chance of a repeat on Wednesday.

Things had threatened to turn ugly for Kudla when he lost the first five games, but he fought his corner to ensure the score stayed respectable and the match remained competitive.

The holder and four times champion allowed a few match points to go begging before finally wrapping up the victory to set up an encounter with Poland's 48th-ranked Hubert Hurkacz.

At this stage of the tournament, few would bet against Djokovic winning a 16th Grand Slam title next Sunday and the world number one certainly sounds confident.

"Ambitions are high and I've been fortunate in my career to do so well in Slams," he said.

"I have to think only about the next challenge and take things one step at a time," said Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic trails Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in many of the game's most important metrics, but when it comes to consistently reaching the third round at Wimbledon, which he achieved with dazzling ease on Wednesday, he leaves his rivals in his wake.

Novak Djokovic trails Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in many of the game's most important metrics, but when it comes to consistently reaching the third round at Wimbledon, which he achieved with dazzling ease on Wednesday, he leaves his rivals in his wake. The Serb dismantled American Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 with ruthless efficiency and just enough flamboyance to satisfy the Centre Court crowd. That put him in the last 32 at the All England Club for the 11th straight year, a professional-era mark only surpassed by American Jimmy Connors - and one more than the game's most decorated player Federer. Consistency has become the Serb's hallmark. While he may lack the shotmaking brilliance of Federer or the raw power and energy of Nadal, he rarely allows his level to slip below a supremely high watermark. Which makes slip-ups against those plying their trade at the level of Kudla an exceptionally rare occurrence. "Consistency was one of the keys and focus points of my Grand Slam career going back 10 years - I always aim to play my best in Grand Slams," he said after a one-hour-and-33-minute stroll that only occasionally flickered into life as a contest. "I guess the quality of tennis that I produce in the slams is pretty high. That's what allows me to have the results like this," Djokovic said. The world number one had only once lost to a player lower than the 111th-ranked Kudla in a Grand Slam - to Denis Istomin at the 2017 Australian Open - and there was never any chance of a repeat on Wednesday. Things had threatened to turn ugly for Kudla when he lost the first five games, but he fought his corner to ensure the score stayed respectable and the match remained competitive. The holder and four times champion allowed a few match points to go begging before finally wrapping up the victory to set up an encounter with Poland's 48th-ranked Hubert Hurkacz. At this stage of the tournament, few would bet against Djokovic winning a 16th Grand Slam title next Sunday and the world number one certainly sounds confident. "Ambitions are high and I've been fortunate in my career to do so well in Slams," he said. "I have to think only about the next challenge and take things one step at a time," said Djokovic.

Wimbledon: Defending champion Novak Djokovic eases into third round

American 15-year-old Cori "Coco" Gauff showed her stunning first-round defeat of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-15-year-old-cori-gauff-stuns-idol-venus-williams-to-steal-day-one-limelight-232214&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjIs52X05rjAhVHM94KHd9FAtoQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MR7DWdXYUiMEwFTicshFT">Venus Williams</a> was no flash in the pan as she outclassed Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-3 to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.

Gauff, the youngest player to reach the Wimbledon women's singles main draw via qualifying and the youngest to win a round since 1991, gave the 30-year-old former semi-finalist a torrid time as her fairytale debut continued under the Court One roof.

Gliding effortlessly across the grass she took charge of the match by breaking her 139th-ranked Slovakian's serve to love in the sixth game and was in control thereafter.

Rybarikova, a semi-finalist in 2017, might have hoped for Gauff's level to dip but it never looked likely as the teenager remained ice cool and composed to close in on victory.

Sensational as the victory over her idol and five-time champion Williams was, the way she backed it up was arguably more impressive as she appeared completely impervious to the hullabaloo she has caused at the All England Club.

In two matches she has made 18 unforced errors and barely put a foot wrong.

"I just still can't believe she is 15," American great John McEnroe said in his summary for the BBC.

But even Gauff herself told reporters after the match she was the real deal: "You can kind of fake it till you make it. But I'm not faking it, at least right now."

Incredibly, this time last week Gauff was preparing for a science exam having jetted into London at short notice after being handed a wildcard for the qualifying event.

After a whirlwind week, she now finds herself one win away from becoming the youngest player to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Jennifer Capriati, aged 14, in 1990.

After beating Venus, Gauff is already receiving the sort of attention that surrounded Capriati as she burst onto the scene. "I wasn't expecting any of this. A lot of celebrities were DM'ing, posting me. I'm kind of star-struck. It's been hard to reset," she told reporters.

"There's so much going on. I'm still shocked that I'm even here," world number 313 Gauff said after coming off court and being initially told by the reporter she was next to face Caroline Wozniacki when it is actually Slovenian Polona Hercog who beat another former American prodigy Madison Keys.

"KEEP IT SIMPLE"

The way she has taken to the world's biggest tennis stage suggests she might be here a while longer yet.

"This is not the first time she has had to deal with pressure, but she surprises me with some of the fight she comes up with," <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/cori-gauff-15-year-old-american-qualifies-for-wimbledon-231089&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjIs52X05rjAhVHM94KHd9FAtoQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw26JKBJwPxTdRevNyAE0VwB">Gauff's </a>father, and coach, Corey told Reuters.

"My words too her today were just keep it simple and make sure you hit the ball hard, and hit it in the corners," he said.

It took her no time at all to carry out those instructions, ripping a crosscourt backhand winner as she held serve.

Another graceful backhand sealed her next service game and in she raced forward to an attempted drop shot to whip an angled forehand on to the line -- offering a Serena Williams-like "c'mon!!" in response.

Rybarikova, who has dropped to 139th in the rankings, was already beginning to feel the pace and in the sixth game Gauff turned up the dial her groundstrokes to secure the first break.

Serving for the set Gauff crunched two backhand winners on her way to holding to love.

Gauff broke early in the second set and although Rybarikova tried every spin in her armoury to try and break the youngster's rhythm, resistance proved futile.

Asked what advice she had been given by her parents Corey and Candi, who cheered each winner from the players' box, she said it was simple.

"They just told me, you have another match. The tournament's not over," she said. "My goal is to win it," Gauff said.

American 15-year-old Cori "Coco" Gauff showed her stunning first-round defeat of Venus Williams was no flash in the pan as she outclassed Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-3 to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.

American 15-year-old Cori "Coco" Gauff showed her stunning first-round defeat of Venus Williams was no flash in the pan as she outclassed Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-3 to reach the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday. Gauff, the youngest player to reach the Wimbledon women's singles main draw via qualifying and the youngest to win a round since 1991, gave the 30-year-old former semi-finalist a torrid time as her fairytale debut continued under the Court One roof. Gliding effortlessly across the grass she took charge of the match by breaking her 139th-ranked Slovakian's serve to love in the sixth game and was in control thereafter. Rybarikova, a semi-finalist in 2017, might have hoped for Gauff's level to dip but it never looked likely as the teenager remained ice cool and composed to close in on victory. Sensational as the victory over her idol and five-time champion Williams was, the way she backed it up was arguably more impressive as she appeared completely impervious to the hullabaloo she has caused at the All England Club. In two matches she has made 18 unforced errors and barely put a foot wrong. "I just still can't believe she is 15," American great John McEnroe said in his summary for the BBC. But even Gauff herself told reporters after the match she was the real deal: "You can kind of fake it till you make it. But I'm not faking it, at least right now." Incredibly, this time last week Gauff was preparing for a science exam having jetted into London at short notice after being handed a wildcard for the qualifying event. After a whirlwind week, she now finds herself one win away from becoming the youngest player to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Jennifer Capriati, aged 14, in 1990. After beating Venus, Gauff is already receiving the sort of attention that surrounded Capriati as she burst onto the scene. "I wasn't expecting any of this. A lot of celebrities were DM'ing, posting me. I'm kind of star-struck. It's been hard to reset," she told reporters. "There's so much going on. I'm still shocked that I'm even here," world number 313 Gauff said after coming off court and being initially told by the reporter she was next to face Caroline Wozniacki when it is actually Slovenian Polona Hercog who beat another former American prodigy Madison Keys. "KEEP IT SIMPLE" The way she has taken to the world's biggest tennis stage suggests she might be here a while longer yet. "This is not the first time she has had to deal with pressure, but she surprises me with some of the fight she comes up with," Gauff's father, and coach, Corey told Reuters. "My words too her today were just keep it simple and make sure you hit the ball hard, and hit it in the corners," he said. It took her no time at all to carry out those instructions, ripping a crosscourt backhand winner as she held serve. Another graceful backhand sealed her next service game and in she raced forward to an attempted drop shot to whip an angled forehand on to the line -- offering a Serena Williams-like "c'mon!!" in response. Rybarikova, who has dropped to 139th in the rankings, was already beginning to feel the pace and in the sixth game Gauff turned up the dial her groundstrokes to secure the first break. Serving for the set Gauff crunched two backhand winners on her way to holding to love. Gauff broke early in the second set and although Rybarikova tried every spin in her armoury to try and break the youngster's rhythm, resistance proved futile. Asked what advice she had been given by her parents Corey and Candi, who cheered each winner from the players' box, she said it was simple. "They just told me, you have another match. The tournament's not over," she said. "My goal is to win it," Gauff said.

Wimbledon: American teen Cori Gauff effortlessly races into third round

Ashleigh Barty's bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year stayed on track with a 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory over Belgium's Alison van Uytvanck on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Australian world number one will play either British wild card <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-clarke-dumps-dart-last-minute-to-pair-up-with-cori-gauff-for-mixed-doubles-233018">Harriet Dart</a> or Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the last 16.

"I had to make a lot of returns first and foremost and then try and nullify her variety a little bit," she said.

Barty, who if she achieves the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double will be only the eighth woman to do so, said she would switch off from tennis for the moment.&nbsp;

"I'm sure there's some cricket on or something," she said in reference to the ongoing World Cup in England where Australia have made the semi-finals.

Barty seized the initiative from the outset on Thursday breaking Van Uytvanck, who had eliminated 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round of last year's tournament, twice in succession.

She repeated that in the second set and although the 25-year-old Belgian broke <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-ashleigh-barty-embraces-number-one-tag-cruises-into-second-round-232654&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiqlvCFmpvjAhXN6nMBHYNCAvgQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3R1ZD-htm9R9We_T_XWEzg">Barty </a>when she served for the match, the Australian made no mistake when presented with a match point on her opponent's serve in the following game. &nbsp;

Also easing through was 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens who took the first eight games against her Chinese opponent Wang Yafan before winning 6-0, 6-2.

Stephens seeded nine, will play either British 19th seed Johanna Konta or Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in the next round.

Ashleigh Barty's bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year stayed on track with a 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory over Belgium's Alison van Uytvanck on Thursday.

Ashleigh Barty's bid to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year stayed on track with a 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory over Belgium's Alison van Uytvanck on Thursday. The 23-year-old Australian world number one will play either British wild card Harriet Dart or Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the last 16. "I had to make a lot of returns first and foremost and then try and nullify her variety a little bit," she said. Barty, who if she achieves the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double will be only the eighth woman to do so, said she would switch off from tennis for the moment. "I'm sure there's some cricket on or something," she said in reference to the ongoing World Cup in England where Australia have made the semi-finals. Barty seized the initiative from the outset on Thursday breaking Van Uytvanck, who had eliminated 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round of last year's tournament, twice in succession. She repeated that in the second set and although the 25-year-old Belgian broke Barty when she served for the match, the Australian made no mistake when presented with a match point on her opponent's serve in the following game. Also easing through was 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens who took the first eight games against her Chinese opponent Wang Yafan before winning 6-0, 6-2. Stephens seeded nine, will play either British 19th seed Johanna Konta or Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in the next round.

Wimbledon: Ashleigh Barty cruises into Wimbledon third round

Australia's <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/tomic-denies-hewitt-allegations-calls-him-liar-report-191204&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjFpYy5iJvjAhXNknAKHUD6Dd8QFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2TUPWKj0X-tgcOrpxq84iT">Bernard Tomic</a> was fined 45,000 pounds ($57,000) for not playing to "required professional standards" after he put in minimal effort during a 58-minute, first-round thrashing by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon, organisers said on Thursday.

Fans looked bemused as the 26-year-old world number 96 lost Tuesday's match 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, a performance described as "appalling" and "embarrassing" on social media.

"It is the opinion of the referee that the performance of Bernard Tomic in his first-round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga did not meet the required professional standards, and therefore he has been fined the maximum amount of 45,000 pounds which will be deducted from prize money," organisers said in a statement.

With first-round losers at Wimbledon receiving 45,000 pounds, Tomic exited the tournament empty-handed following his latest run-in with the All England Club's authorities.

The Australian was fined $15,000 in 2017 after admitting <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-i-was-bored-tomic-says-after-losing-first-round-match-in-only-84-minutes-17605&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjFpYy5iJvjAhXNknAKHUD6Dd8QFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw26LcRryZpMkCdlIisGYKOa">faking an injury</a> during a first-round loss to Mischa Zverev, saying later he was "bored" with Wimbledon.

When asked to sum up his performance on Tuesday, Tomic said: "I played pretty bad." Asked to elaborate, he said: "I just played terrible."

It is not the first time Tomic has been in trouble for not trying.

He was nicknamed "Tomic the Tank Engine" after accusations he "tanked" - or failed to try his best - in a loss to Andy Roddick at the 2012 US&nbsp;Open.

The Australian also broke the record for the quickest loss at a Masters-level tournament on the ATP Tour after being crushed 6-0, 6-1 in 28 minutes by Finn Jarkko Nieminen in Miami in 2014.

Tomic also faced match point holding his racket backwards in a defeat by Fabio Fognini at the 2016 Madrid Open.

Tomic, trailing 0-40 as Italian Fognini tried to serve out the match at 6-2, 5-4, held his racket by the head with the handle pointing forwards and barely moved as his opponent fired an ace past him to seal the victory.

Tomic, who was once hailed as being among the game's brightest emerging talents, has now lost in the first round of his last three Grand Slams, exiting the French Open in May with a straight-sets defeat in a match lasting 82 minutes.

Australia's Bernard Tomic was fined 45,000 pounds ($57,000) for not playing to "required professional standards" after he put in minimal effort during a 58-minute, first-round thrashing by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon, organisers said on Thursday.

Australia's Bernard Tomic was fined 45,000 pounds ($57,000) for not playing to "required professional standards" after he put in minimal effort during a 58-minute, first-round thrashing by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon, organisers said on Thursday. Fans looked bemused as the 26-year-old world number 96 lost Tuesday's match 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, a performance described as "appalling" and "embarrassing" on social media. "It is the opinion of the referee that the performance of Bernard Tomic in his first-round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga did not meet the required professional standards, and therefore he has been fined the maximum amount of 45,000 pounds which will be deducted from prize money," organisers said in a statement. With first-round losers at Wimbledon receiving 45,000 pounds, Tomic exited the tournament empty-handed following his latest run-in with the All England Club's authorities. The Australian was fined $15,000 in 2017 after admitting faking an injury during a first-round loss to Mischa Zverev, saying later he was "bored" with Wimbledon. When asked to sum up his performance on Tuesday, Tomic said: "I played pretty bad." Asked to elaborate, he said: "I just played terrible." It is not the first time Tomic has been in trouble for not trying. He was nicknamed "Tomic the Tank Engine" after accusations he "tanked" - or failed to try his best - in a loss to Andy Roddick at the 2012 US Open. The Australian also broke the record for the quickest loss at a Masters-level tournament on the ATP Tour after being crushed 6-0, 6-1 in 28 minutes by Finn Jarkko Nieminen in Miami in 2014. Tomic also faced match point holding his racket backwards in a defeat by Fabio Fognini at the 2016 Madrid Open. Tomic, trailing 0-40 as Italian Fognini tried to serve out the match at 6-2, 5-4, held his racket by the head with the handle pointing forwards and barely moved as his opponent fired an ace past him to seal the victory. Tomic, who was once hailed as being among the game's brightest emerging talents, has now lost in the first round of his last three Grand Slams, exiting the French Open in May with a straight-sets defeat in a match lasting 82 minutes.

Wimbledon: Bernard Tomic fined for playing below standards

British youngster Harriet Dart was left frustrated after she was dumped by her Wimbledon mixed doubles partner Jay Clarke for American teenager Cori Gauff.

Dart received a text from Clarke, saying he was switching partners ahead of the mixed doubles opening round on Thursday.

"Essentially due to the timing, I wasn't able to find another partner in the time period available," Dart, who plays singles on Thursday against Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, told the Daily Mail.

"I did ask a number of people but a lot of them were set up and that's it. I think you should ask Jay about his reasons, that's all I want to say."

The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-teenager-cori-gauff-effortlessly-races-into-third-round-232951&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjVpLWzkZvjAhUFOI8KHTWoD1IQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Iadz5t796lP7cjkZPbmF5">15-year-old Gauff</a> has made waves at Wimbledon after becoming the youngest player in the professional era to qualify for the main draw before beating Venus Williams and 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova to reach the third round.

Clarke said Gauff, known as Coco, had contacted him and asked him if he could partner her.

"I've known Cori for a few years now, we got in contact and she asked me to play," Clarke said. "That was tough, I had to let her know because I saw the pairs that had signed in, and I was (thinking) 'am I even going to get in?'"

"I think it's the worst decision I have had to make especially mid-tournament. I didn't sleep too well the night before I played Noah (Rubin in a first-round singles match) but hopefully, she understands why I did it. I'm sorry for her it happened."

Clarke plays <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-roger-federer-seeded-second-rafael-nadal-drops-to-three-230601&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiG-vKRkZvjAhUSinAKHclJC40QFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2u628sQRmJM0ILzSrNNRIX">Roger Federer</a> in a second-round singles match later on Thursday before teaming up with Gauff to face Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko in the mixed doubles first round on Friday.

British youngster Harriet Dart was left frustrated after she was dumped by her Wimbledon mixed doubles partner Jay Clarke for American teenager Cori Gauff. Dart received a text from Clarke, saying he was switching partners ahead of the mixed doubles opening round on Thursday.

British youngster Harriet Dart was left frustrated after she was dumped by her Wimbledon mixed doubles partner Jay Clarke for American teenager Cori Gauff. Dart received a text from Clarke, saying he was switching partners ahead of the mixed doubles opening round on Thursday. "Essentially due to the timing, I wasn't able to find another partner in the time period available," Dart, who plays singles on Thursday against Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, told the Daily Mail. "I did ask a number of people but a lot of them were set up and that's it. I think you should ask Jay about his reasons, that's all I want to say." The 15-year-old Gauff has made waves at Wimbledon after becoming the youngest player in the professional era to qualify for the main draw before beating Venus Williams and 2017 semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova to reach the third round. Clarke said Gauff, known as Coco, had contacted him and asked him if he could partner her. "I've known Cori for a few years now, we got in contact and she asked me to play," Clarke said. "That was tough, I had to let her know because I saw the pairs that had signed in, and I was (thinking) 'am I even going to get in?'" "I think it's the worst decision I have had to make especially mid-tournament. I didn't sleep too well the night before I played Noah (Rubin in a first-round singles match) but hopefully, she understands why I did it. I'm sorry for her it happened." Clarke plays Roger Federer in a second-round singles match later on Thursday before teaming up with Gauff to face Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko in the mixed doubles first round on Friday.

Wimbledon: Clarke dumps Dart last minute to pair up with Cori Gauff for mixed doubles

In recent years Wimbledon has not exactly been a dreamland for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-its-a-chill-year-says-simona-halep-as-she-sweeps-past-sasnovich-232222">Simona Halep</a> and Victoria Azarenka, and the nightmare will continue for one of them after the former world number ones set up a third-round showdown.

Seventh seed Halep appeared to be heading for an easy win when she was a set and 2-0 up against Mihaela Buzarnescu before her fellow Romanian stormed back to take the second set.

Buzarnescu even stopped in her tracks midway through the seventh game of the second set to hand over a bottle of water to a spectator who had fainted in the stands.

But Halep was less charitable and turfed her compatriot out of the championships with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 defeat.

Twelve months ago Halep perished in the third round despite being the top seed and she will be hoping for better fortune on Friday when she faces <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-victoria-azarenka-powers-into-third-round-232782">Azarenka</a>.

"It's going to be a big challenge for me, tough one because she's ... very aggressive," said Halep, who has won two her four meetings with Azarenka, including at Wimbledon in 2017.

"I have to be strong on my legs to be ready for her strokes because she hits very strong," Halep said.

The Belarussian made sure there was no repeat of her 2018 second-round exit as she dished out a 6-2, 6-0 mauling to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

Halep and Azarenka were among four former WTA number ones in singles action on day three, along with Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki.

Pliskova has long been thought of as a Grand Slam champion-in-waiting and the Czech provided evidence of her grass-court pedigree as she hurtled past Monica Puig 6-0, 6-4.

"I feel like I'm improving every day on grass," said Pliskova, who arrived at Wimbledon full of confidence after scooping her third title on grass at Eastbourne last week.

FAST LANE

But if Pliskova was hoping her success at Eastbourne would easily translate to a Wimbledon title, she will have to buck the trends as fellow Czech Jana Novotna was the last woman to have pulled off the feat 21 years ago.

On Wednesday, though, Pliskova showed why she is considered as one of the front runners for this year's Wimbledon crown.

Watched by former Formula One driver David Coulthard from the Royal Box, the third seed appeared to be in the fast lane to victory as she dropped only two points on serve to zoom through the first set in 20 minutes.

At the other end of Centre Court, a double fault on set point summed up the kind of torturous day Olympic champion Puig was having to endure.

But just when it seemed the race was on for Pliskova to produce the first double bagel of this year's championships, the Puerto Rican drew a prolonged round of sympathetic applause as she finally won a game in the second game of the second set.

The respite was shortlived as her Czech opponent, who could topple <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-ashleigh-barty-embraces-number-one-tag-cruises-into-second-round-232654">Ash Barty</a> from the WTA rankings summit if she reaches the latter stages of the grasscourt major, broke Puig to go 3-1 ahead and served for the match at 5-3.

Being on the edge of defeat allowed Puig to come out swinging in the ninth game as she broke Pliskova.

But if that gave Puig a glint of hope for an upset, the Czech quickly snuffed out such thoughts by breaking the 25-year-old in the very next game to seal a third-round match with Taiwanese 28th seed Hsieh Su-wei.

"The deeper you go, the better players you play so it's not going to be easy here," said Pliskova, whose only defeat on grass this season was against her twin Kristyna in the last 16 in Birmingham.

Newly married Wozniacki's Wimbledon honeymoon continued with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

In recent years Wimbledon has not exactly been a dreamland for Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka, and the nightmare will continue for one of them after the former world number ones set up a third-round showdown.

In recent years Wimbledon has not exactly been a dreamland for Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka, and the nightmare will continue for one of them after the former world number ones set up a third-round showdown. Seventh seed Halep appeared to be heading for an easy win when she was a set and 2-0 up against Mihaela Buzarnescu before her fellow Romanian stormed back to take the second set. Buzarnescu even stopped in her tracks midway through the seventh game of the second set to hand over a bottle of water to a spectator who had fainted in the stands. But Halep was less charitable and turfed her compatriot out of the championships with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 defeat. Twelve months ago Halep perished in the third round despite being the top seed and she will be hoping for better fortune on Friday when she faces Azarenka. "It's going to be a big challenge for me, tough one because she's ... very aggressive," said Halep, who has won two her four meetings with Azarenka, including at Wimbledon in 2017. "I have to be strong on my legs to be ready for her strokes because she hits very strong," Halep said. The Belarussian made sure there was no repeat of her 2018 second-round exit as she dished out a 6-2, 6-0 mauling to Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. Halep and Azarenka were among four former WTA number ones in singles action on day three, along with Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Wozniacki. Pliskova has long been thought of as a Grand Slam champion-in-waiting and the Czech provided evidence of her grass-court pedigree as she hurtled past Monica Puig 6-0, 6-4. "I feel like I'm improving every day on grass," said Pliskova, who arrived at Wimbledon full of confidence after scooping her third title on grass at Eastbourne last week. FAST LANE But if Pliskova was hoping her success at Eastbourne would easily translate to a Wimbledon title, she will have to buck the trends as fellow Czech Jana Novotna was the last woman to have pulled off the feat 21 years ago. On Wednesday, though, Pliskova showed why she is considered as one of the front runners for this year's Wimbledon crown. Watched by former Formula One driver David Coulthard from the Royal Box, the third seed appeared to be in the fast lane to victory as she dropped only two points on serve to zoom through the first set in 20 minutes. At the other end of Centre Court, a double fault on set point summed up the kind of torturous day Olympic champion Puig was having to endure. But just when it seemed the race was on for Pliskova to produce the first double bagel of this year's championships, the Puerto Rican drew a prolonged round of sympathetic applause as she finally won a game in the second game of the second set. The respite was shortlived as her Czech opponent, who could topple Ash Barty from the WTA rankings summit if she reaches the latter stages of the grasscourt major, broke Puig to go 3-1 ahead and served for the match at 5-3. Being on the edge of defeat allowed Puig to come out swinging in the ninth game as she broke Pliskova. But if that gave Puig a glint of hope for an upset, the Czech quickly snuffed out such thoughts by breaking the 25-year-old in the very next game to seal a third-round match with Taiwanese 28th seed Hsieh Su-wei. "The deeper you go, the better players you play so it's not going to be easy here," said Pliskova, whose only defeat on grass this season was against her twin Kristyna in the last 16 in Birmingham. Newly married Wozniacki's Wimbledon honeymoon continued with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

Wimbledon: Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka set up third round battle

It was the "super salty" blockbuster clash tennis fans around the world wanted to see and Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal duly obliged on Tuesday by setting up a second-round showdown at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-serena-williams-form-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-dream-team-232624">Wimbledon</a>.

When last Friday's men's draw set the pair on a collision course, the only fear was that Yuichi Sugita and Jordan Thompson might gatecrash a reunion between the duo who are not exactly considered best buddies on the tour.

As it was, Nadal dispatched the Japanese 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, while Kyrgios, no stranger to hurling chairs across a court when things don't go his way, was almost on his best behaviour as he secured a 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1 win over his compatriot.

Considering Nadal accused Kyrgios of disrespect after losing to him in Acapulco earlier and the Australian hit back by describing the 18-time Grand Slam champion as being "super salty" in defeat, sparks could fly again when they face off for the seventh time, with their rivalry deadlocked at 3-3.

However, on Tuesday both players refused to get dragged into a war of words.

"Not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog &amp; Fox (pub) and have a beer together... we have mutual respect but that's about it," said Kyrgios, who beat the Spaniard in their only previous meeting at Wimbledon.

"He's one of the greatest tennis players of all time. I go into that match as an unbelievable underdog," said&nbsp;Kyrgios.

As for Nadal, his only words on the subject were: "I'm too old for all that stuff."

That might be the case but Nadal and his long-time 'frenemy' Roger Federer showed that age was no barrier when it came to winning matches.

The Swiss, chasing a record ninth Wimbledon title, was not exactly at his regal best on a day the Duchess of Cambridge had dropped in to cheer him on but that did not stop Federer handing Wimbledon debutant Lloyd Harris a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 defeat.

Maria Sharapova's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-defending-champion-angelique-kerber-outclasses-tricky-compatriot-232606">Wimbledon </a>ended in the first round for the second straight year as the 2004 champion retired with an arm injury while trailing France's Pauline Parmentier 4-6, 7-6(4), 5-0.

Another former champion, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia.

A day after Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev lost their chance to end the Nadal-Federer-Novak Djokovic stranglehold on men's tennis, Austria's French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem continued the Next-Gen exodus as he was humbled 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-0 by American Sam Querrey.

It was the "super salty" blockbuster clash tennis fans around the world wanted to see and Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal duly obliged on Tuesday by setting up a second-round showdown at Wimbledon.

It was the "super salty" blockbuster clash tennis fans around the world wanted to see and Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal duly obliged on Tuesday by setting up a second-round showdown at Wimbledon. When last Friday's men's draw set the pair on a collision course, the only fear was that Yuichi Sugita and Jordan Thompson might gatecrash a reunion between the duo who are not exactly considered best buddies on the tour. As it was, Nadal dispatched the Japanese 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, while Kyrgios, no stranger to hurling chairs across a court when things don't go his way, was almost on his best behaviour as he secured a 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(10), 0-6, 6-1 win over his compatriot. Considering Nadal accused Kyrgios of disrespect after losing to him in Acapulco earlier and the Australian hit back by describing the 18-time Grand Slam champion as being "super salty" in defeat, sparks could fly again when they face off for the seventh time, with their rivalry deadlocked at 3-3. However, on Tuesday both players refused to get dragged into a war of words. "Not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog & Fox (pub) and have a beer together... we have mutual respect but that's about it," said Kyrgios, who beat the Spaniard in their only previous meeting at Wimbledon. "He's one of the greatest tennis players of all time. I go into that match as an unbelievable underdog," said Kyrgios. As for Nadal, his only words on the subject were: "I'm too old for all that stuff." That might be the case but Nadal and his long-time 'frenemy' Roger Federer showed that age was no barrier when it came to winning matches. The Swiss, chasing a record ninth Wimbledon title, was not exactly at his regal best on a day the Duchess of Cambridge had dropped in to cheer him on but that did not stop Federer handing Wimbledon debutant Lloyd Harris a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 defeat. Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon ended in the first round for the second straight year as the 2004 champion retired with an arm injury while trailing France's Pauline Parmentier 4-6, 7-6(4), 5-0. Another former champion, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia. A day after Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev lost their chance to end the Nadal-Federer-Novak Djokovic stranglehold on men's tennis, Austria's French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem continued the Next-Gen exodus as he was humbled 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-0 by American Sam Querrey.

Wimbledon: Nick Kyrgios, Rafael Nadal set to renew 'salty' rivalry

Defending champion Angelique Kerber needed to call upon all her cunning and experience to navigate her way 6-4, 6-3 through an awkward first-round encounter at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-young-guns-stefanos-tsitsipas-and-alexander-zverev-suffer-shock-exits-232229">Wimbledon </a>with German compatriot Tatjana Maria on Tuesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has enjoyed mixed fortunes since beating Serena Williams in the final last year, dropping to fifth in the standings, and went out in the first round of the French Open last month.

It was with some nervous tension that she stepped out on Centre Court, opening the action on the second day of the tournament in a traditional fashion as the women's champion.

Maria's combination of slice and guile, rare on a circuit dominated by big-hitting power players, frustrated Kerber, especially in the first set.

"She's playing tricky on grass," Kerber said straight after leaving the court. "I was hoping to stay in the match because you never know what's going to happen with her. She really plays tricky with the slice on both sides."

The players exchanged breaks throughout the match and Kerber thumped shots long and into the net as she came to terms with her 65th-ranked opponent's subtler delivery, producing 12 unforced errors in the first set and 19 overall.

But the left-hander was able to match Maria's all-court game when it mattered, winning the first set with a perfectly judged lob, off-balance and on the run.

The pair served up skilled and entertaining tennis in the second set, Maria drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd for speed and deftness at the net.

Not to be left out, Kerber produced a running shot through her legs and, to earn match point, a smash from the baseline.

She finished the match with a thumping forehand that Maria could not handle.

The pair, at 31 of the same generation of German tennis players, embraced warmly at the net.

Kerber, with 29, has won more <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-15-year-old-cori-gauff-stuns-idol-venus-williams-to-steal-day-one-limelight-232214">grasscourt&nbsp;matches</a> than any other woman on the circuit over the last four years and last week reached the final of the Eastbourne tournament where she lost to powerful hitter Karolina Pliskova.

She will play 96th-ranked Lauren Davis of the United States in the second round.

Defending champion Angelique Kerber needed to call upon all her cunning and experience to navigate her way 6-4, 6-3 through an awkward first-round encounter at Wimbledon with German compatriot Tatjana Maria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Angelique Kerber needed to call upon all her cunning and experience to navigate her way 6-4, 6-3 through an awkward first-round encounter at Wimbledon with German compatriot Tatjana Maria on Tuesday. The three-time Grand Slam champion has enjoyed mixed fortunes since beating Serena Williams in the final last year, dropping to fifth in the standings, and went out in the first round of the French Open last month. It was with some nervous tension that she stepped out on Centre Court, opening the action on the second day of the tournament in a traditional fashion as the women's champion. Maria's combination of slice and guile, rare on a circuit dominated by big-hitting power players, frustrated Kerber, especially in the first set. "She's playing tricky on grass," Kerber said straight after leaving the court. "I was hoping to stay in the match because you never know what's going to happen with her. She really plays tricky with the slice on both sides." The players exchanged breaks throughout the match and Kerber thumped shots long and into the net as she came to terms with her 65th-ranked opponent's subtler delivery, producing 12 unforced errors in the first set and 19 overall. But the left-hander was able to match Maria's all-court game when it mattered, winning the first set with a perfectly judged lob, off-balance and on the run. The pair served up skilled and entertaining tennis in the second set, Maria drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd for speed and deftness at the net. Not to be left out, Kerber produced a running shot through her legs and, to earn match point, a smash from the baseline. She finished the match with a thumping forehand that Maria could not handle. The pair, at 31 of the same generation of German tennis players, embraced warmly at the net. Kerber, with 29, has won more grasscourt matches than any other woman on the circuit over the last four years and last week reached the final of the Eastbourne tournament where she lost to powerful hitter Karolina Pliskova. She will play 96th-ranked Lauren Davis of the United States in the second round.

Wimbledon: Defending champion Angelique Kerber outclasses tricky compatriot

Andy Murray wanted it, the British fans were desperate for it and the media were working themselves into a frenzy about it and on Tuesday it was confirmed that Serena Williams had said yes.

Speculation has bubbled about a Murray/Williams dream team for the Wimbledon mixed doubles since 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams hinted at the weekend about her availability.

After the American struggled past Italian Giulia Gatto-Monticone in the first round of the singles on Tuesday she left the British media in suspense.

"If you guys really want it... all right, done," she teased after initially saying she was still trying to figure out the "singles part" and would "have to see".

But shortly afterwards, Murray's management team confirmed that they would be playing together.

It is a coup for Murray, and the tournament, with crowds set to flock to the All England Club in even greater numbers to try and catch a glimpse of the scratch pairing in action.

Twice men's singles champion Murray, back playing doubles as he continues his recovery from career-saving hip surgery in February, had already been turned down for the mixed doubles by new <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashleigh-barty-rejects-but-andy-murray-flooded-with-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-offers-229452&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjDi67mhpjjAhUil48KHSv9CE4QFjAFegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0jwxvkndsEceZgx2_2zARt">world number one Ash Barty</a>.

But Williams is not a bad consolation.

Asked at the weekend whether he wanted to play with the American great, the Scot said, with a trademark sense of understatement, the 37-year-old mum would be a "solid" partner.

TEMPTING CHALLENGE

Williams has won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles but has not played mixed doubles at a major since partnering fellow American Bob Bryan at the 2012 French Open.

She did win the 1998 mixed title at Wimbledon with Max Mirnyi, however, and the prospect of repeating that feat with a player she says she admires greatly proved too tempting.

"His work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That's something I've always respected about him," Serena told reporters when asked about the player who in 2013 became the first British man for 77 years to win Wimbledon.

"His fitness, everything. To do what he's done in an era where there's so many other great male tennis players, so much competition, to rise above it, not many people have done it. He's actually one of the few," Serena said.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-marks-pain-free-return-with-doubles-win-at-queens-club-229128&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjDi67mhpjjAhUil48KHSv9CE4QFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0NAI_Np_5eUFaZp0SxkaID">Murray</a>, married with two children, also broke the trend and became one of the few top male players to hire a female coach when he took on Amelie Mauresmo for two years from 2014-16.

"He really stands out, he really speaks up about women's issues no matter what," said Williams. "You can tell he has a really strong woman in his life."

The only issue will be whether the American's' knees will cope with the extra demands as she bids for an eighth singles crown here and whether Murray's hip holds up to what will now be a packed doubles programme if they progress.

He is also playing with Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men's doubles having returned to action last month at Queen's Club to win the doubles title with Feliciano Lopez.

Murray's brother Jamie won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon twice, in 2007 with former world number ones Jelena Jankovic and with Martina Hingis 10 years later. He picked his partners well. So it seems has his brother.

Andy Murray wanted it, the British fans were desperate for it and the media were working themselves into a frenzy about it and on Tuesday it was confirmed that Serena Williams had said yes.

Andy Murray wanted it, the British fans were desperate for it and the media were working themselves into a frenzy about it and on Tuesday it was confirmed that Serena Williams had said yes. Speculation has bubbled about a Murray/Williams dream team for the Wimbledon mixed doubles since 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams hinted at the weekend about her availability. After the American struggled past Italian Giulia Gatto-Monticone in the first round of the singles on Tuesday she left the British media in suspense. "If you guys really want it... all right, done," she teased after initially saying she was still trying to figure out the "singles part" and would "have to see". But shortly afterwards, Murray's management team confirmed that they would be playing together. It is a coup for Murray, and the tournament, with crowds set to flock to the All England Club in even greater numbers to try and catch a glimpse of the scratch pairing in action. Twice men's singles champion Murray, back playing doubles as he continues his recovery from career-saving hip surgery in February, had already been turned down for the mixed doubles by new world number one Ash Barty. But Williams is not a bad consolation. Asked at the weekend whether he wanted to play with the American great, the Scot said, with a trademark sense of understatement, the 37-year-old mum would be a "solid" partner. TEMPTING CHALLENGE Williams has won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles but has not played mixed doubles at a major since partnering fellow American Bob Bryan at the 2012 French Open. She did win the 1998 mixed title at Wimbledon with Max Mirnyi, however, and the prospect of repeating that feat with a player she says she admires greatly proved too tempting. "His work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That's something I've always respected about him," Serena told reporters when asked about the player who in 2013 became the first British man for 77 years to win Wimbledon. "His fitness, everything. To do what he's done in an era where there's so many other great male tennis players, so much competition, to rise above it, not many people have done it. He's actually one of the few," Serena said. Murray, married with two children, also broke the trend and became one of the few top male players to hire a female coach when he took on Amelie Mauresmo for two years from 2014-16. "He really stands out, he really speaks up about women's issues no matter what," said Williams. "You can tell he has a really strong woman in his life." The only issue will be whether the American's' knees will cope with the extra demands as she bids for an eighth singles crown here and whether Murray's hip holds up to what will now be a packed doubles programme if they progress. He is also playing with Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men's doubles having returned to action last month at Queen's Club to win the doubles title with Feliciano Lopez. Murray's brother Jamie won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon twice, in 2007 with former world number ones Jelena Jankovic and with Martina Hingis 10 years later. He picked his partners well. So it seems has his brother.

Andy Murray, Serena Williams form Wimbledon mixed doubles dream team

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka thrashed Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-0 in the second round to continue her impressive start at <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-ashleigh-barty-embraces-number-one-tag-cruises-into-second-round-232654">Wimbledon </a>on Wednesday.

The unseeded 29-year-old Belarussian produced an aggressive display to overpower her opponent and set up a possible third-round clash with Romanian <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-its-a-chill-year-says-simona-halep-as-she-sweeps-past-sasnovich-232222">Simona Halep</a>.

Twice Grand Slam champion Azarenka's progress since returning to tennis two years ago following the birth of her son Leo has been steady rather than spectacular, not helped by a long-running custody battle with her former partner.

But there are signs she is beginning to rediscover the form and hunger that took her to Wimbledon semi-finals in 2011 and 2012 as well as quarter-final runs in 2009 and 2015.

Tomljanovic, ranked 49, simply could not cope with the intensity of Azarenka's play and subsided easily.

Azarenka, who beat Alize Cornet in the first round, is in the third round of a Grand Slam for only the third time since returning to the Tour in June 2017.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka thrashed Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-0 in the second round to continue her impressive start at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka thrashed Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-0 in the second round to continue her impressive start at Wimbledon on Wednesday. The unseeded 29-year-old Belarussian produced an aggressive display to overpower her opponent and set up a possible third-round clash with Romanian Simona Halep. Twice Grand Slam champion Azarenka's progress since returning to tennis two years ago following the birth of her son Leo has been steady rather than spectacular, not helped by a long-running custody battle with her former partner. But there are signs she is beginning to rediscover the form and hunger that took her to Wimbledon semi-finals in 2011 and 2012 as well as quarter-final runs in 2009 and 2015. Tomljanovic, ranked 49, simply could not cope with the intensity of Azarenka's play and subsided easily. Azarenka, who beat Alize Cornet in the first round, is in the third round of a Grand Slam for only the third time since returning to the Tour in June 2017.

Wimbledon: Victoria Azarenka powers into third round

From Naomi Osaka to Maria Sharapova, shocking upsets at Wimbledon'19 round one

If being world number one brings the burden of pressure and expectation then somebody should tell Ash Barty, who began her first Grand Slam at the summit of the women's game at Wimbledon on Tuesday and loved every minute of it.

Being at the top of the women's rankings has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent years, with the position changing hands 10 times since the start of 2017 between eight different occupants.

The most recent holder before <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cricketer-to-grand-slam-winner-ashleigh-bartys-journey-is-inspiring-225626&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjc0JeYmpjjAhWIvI8KHRC5AJ4QFjABegQIEBAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw39bQuMwziWa8n3UfQXoq7O">Barty</a>, Naomi Osaka, admitted the pressure of being number one had caused headaches and fatigue while the stress was "way more" than she could have imagined.

The extent to which her game had plummeted from the heights of her two Grand Slam title successes at the US&nbsp;and Australian Opens was laid bare when she exited Wimbledon meekly in the first round on Monday.

It was refreshing, therefore, to hear Barty embrace the so-called "burden" of being the world's best player with such enthusiasm as she waltzed into the second round at the All England Club with a 6-4, 6-2 win over China's Zheng Saisai.

"I think for me it's a little bit irrelevant," she said about being number one.

"The only pressure I have is what I put on myself, making sure I'm doing all the right things, preparing in the right way. Ultimately when we play our matches, we go out there and enjoy it ... just play each match as it comes. There's certainly no extra stresses on any match," Barty said.

Her express-train run to the top of the women's game certainly showed no sign of slowing on Court One as Zheng was dispatched comfortably.

The Australian, who followed up her <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashleigh-barty-defeats-marketa-vondrousova-to-win-french-open-title-225535&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjc0JeYmpjjAhWIvI8KHRC5AJ4QFjAFegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0X8OBVGmF72q-p4HHjbnqX">French Open</a> triumph last month by winning in Birmingham, sealed a 13th straight win in a brisk hour and 16 minutes, battling through the first set before easing through the second.

Barty has never been past the third round at Wimbledon, but her game is well-suited to the slick grass courts and she looks well-placed to challenge for a second Grand Slam title.

The 23-year-old will certainly have to overcome tougher challenges than the 43rd-ranked Zheng if she is to lift the trophy next Saturday.

She could face defending champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-defending-champion-angelique-kerber-outclasses-tricky-compatriot-232606">Angelique Kerber</a> or seven-times winner Serena Williams in the quarter-finals while twice champion Petra Kvitova is a potential obstacle in the semi-final.

Zheng, however, was no match for the Australian who started the 2017 season ranked 271 in singles and whose remarkable career has also included a successful sabbatical playing cricket for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

Barty and Zheng had played each other three times previously, with Barty winning on each occasion and, apart from a brief wobble in the first set when she allowed the Chinese to claw back from 3-0 down to 3-3, it was plain sailing.

She broke early in the second set and again in the eighth game to wrap up victory, volleying the winner before saluting a warmly appreciative crowd.

If being world number one brings the burden of pressure and expectation then somebody should tell Ash Barty, who began her first Grand Slam at the summit of the women's game at Wimbledon on Tuesday and loved every minute of it.

If being world number one brings the burden of pressure and expectation then somebody should tell Ash Barty, who began her first Grand Slam at the summit of the women's game at Wimbledon on Tuesday and loved every minute of it. Being at the top of the women's rankings has become something of a poisoned chalice in recent years, with the position changing hands 10 times since the start of 2017 between eight different occupants. The most recent holder before Barty, Naomi Osaka, admitted the pressure of being number one had caused headaches and fatigue while the stress was "way more" than she could have imagined. The extent to which her game had plummeted from the heights of her two Grand Slam title successes at the US and Australian Opens was laid bare when she exited Wimbledon meekly in the first round on Monday. It was refreshing, therefore, to hear Barty embrace the so-called "burden" of being the world's best player with such enthusiasm as she waltzed into the second round at the All England Club with a 6-4, 6-2 win over China's Zheng Saisai. "I think for me it's a little bit irrelevant," she said about being number one. "The only pressure I have is what I put on myself, making sure I'm doing all the right things, preparing in the right way. Ultimately when we play our matches, we go out there and enjoy it ... just play each match as it comes. There's certainly no extra stresses on any match," Barty said. Her express-train run to the top of the women's game certainly showed no sign of slowing on Court One as Zheng was dispatched comfortably. The Australian, who followed up her French Open triumph last month by winning in Birmingham, sealed a 13th straight win in a brisk hour and 16 minutes, battling through the first set before easing through the second. Barty has never been past the third round at Wimbledon, but her game is well-suited to the slick grass courts and she looks well-placed to challenge for a second Grand Slam title. The 23-year-old will certainly have to overcome tougher challenges than the 43rd-ranked Zheng if she is to lift the trophy next Saturday. She could face defending champion Angelique Kerber or seven-times winner Serena Williams in the quarter-finals while twice champion Petra Kvitova is a potential obstacle in the semi-final. Zheng, however, was no match for the Australian who started the 2017 season ranked 271 in singles and whose remarkable career has also included a successful sabbatical playing cricket for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. Barty and Zheng had played each other three times previously, with Barty winning on each occasion and, apart from a brief wobble in the first set when she allowed the Chinese to claw back from 3-0 down to 3-3, it was plain sailing. She broke early in the second set and again in the eighth game to wrap up victory, volleying the winner before saluting a warmly appreciative crowd.

Wimbledon: Ashleigh Barty embraces number one tag, cruises into second round

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-sweeps-through-under-keen-gaze-of-ivanisevic-232118">Wimbledon </a>on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other.

Greek Tsitsipas entered the tournament tipped as the man most likely to challenge the authority of the big three but was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 by 89th-ranked Italian Thomas Fabbiano who produced an inspired display on Court Two.

Tsitsipas saved two match points in the fourth-set tiebreak but Fabbiano was relentless and when he broke in the seventh game of the decider with a cruel net cord, it was clear it was not going to be Tsitsipas's day.

"I wouldn't actually deserve the victory today even if I would have won because I didn't play well," the 20-year-old, who reached this year's Australian Open semi-final after beating Roger Federer, told reporters.

He found himself in good company through the exit door though as Germany's Zverev ran into Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely and was also sent packing, losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.

The 22-year-old seemed on course for victory when he won the first set but the powerfully-built Vesely roared back.

Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, slipped when serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the fourth set, handing his opponent two match points, and netted a backhand volley to seal his fate.

"It was kind of a typical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-stan-wawrinka-means-business-as-he-opens-with-easy-victory-232095">Grand Slam</a> match for me. I started off well, then one or two things don't go my way, and everything kind of a little bit falls apart," he said.

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at Wimbledon on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other.

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at Wimbledon on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other. Greek Tsitsipas entered the tournament tipped as the man most likely to challenge the authority of the big three but was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 by 89th-ranked Italian Thomas Fabbiano who produced an inspired display on Court Two. Tsitsipas saved two match points in the fourth-set tiebreak but Fabbiano was relentless and when he broke in the seventh game of the decider with a cruel net cord, it was clear it was not going to be Tsitsipas's day. "I wouldn't actually deserve the victory today even if I would have won because I didn't play well," the 20-year-old, who reached this year's Australian Open semi-final after beating Roger Federer, told reporters. He found himself in good company through the exit door though as Germany's Zverev ran into Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely and was also sent packing, losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. The 22-year-old seemed on course for victory when he won the first set but the powerfully-built Vesely roared back. Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, slipped when serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the fourth set, handing his opponent two match points, and netted a backhand volley to seal his fate. "It was kind of a typical Grand Slam match for me. I started off well, then one or two things don't go my way, and everything kind of a little bit falls apart," he said.

Wimbledon: Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev suffer shock exits

American 15-year-old Cori Gauff stole the show on the opening day of Wimbledon with a debut victory over five-time champion and her inspiration Venus Williams.

Gauff, the youngest woman ever to survive the qualifying tournament, played like a seasoned performer as she clinically beat the 39-year-old great 6-4, 6-4 to earn a standing ovation from an enchanted Court One crowd.

"I wouldn't say I didn't expect to win the match. I knew that I was going to go out there and play the way I play," Gauff, who claimed victory on her fourth match point, told reporters.

"I wasn't surprised that I won. I mean, I was just overwhelmed at the end," Gauff said.

Her victory put everything else in the shade on an opening day full of shocks in both draws.

World number two and second seed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/second-seed-naomi-osaka-crashes-out-in-first-round-of-wimbledon-232123">Naomi Osaka</a> lost 7-6(4), 6-2 to dangerous Kazakh Yulia Putintseva who had also got the better of her in their recent match in Birmingham - a defeat that effectively cost Osaka the number one ranking.

US&nbsp;Open and Australian Open champion Osaka appeared close to tears when she spoke to the media later.

"Can I leave? I feel like I'm about to cry," the Japanese 21-year-old said.

French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova, the 16th seed, also bowed out but former world number ones Karolina Pliskova, Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka all made it safely through to the second round.

DJOKOVIC UNTROUBLED

Men's defending champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-sweeps-through-under-keen-gaze-of-ivanisevic-232118">Novak Djokovic</a> was untroubled as he began his quest for a fifth Wimbledon crown that would take him level on the all-time list with Swedish great Bjorn Borg.

The Serb, with former champion Goran Ivanisevic in his box, beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

It was a bad day for two of the young guns expected to lead the new generation into a brave new era, however.

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to Czech Jiri Vesely while Greek 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas went down in five sets to Italian journeyman Thomas Fabbiano.

Tsitsipas, in particular, was highly-fancied to have a long run at the All England Club having reached the Australian Open semi-final this year but lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3.

"He was just better than me today. I think the way I played, it should have been in three, not five. I don't know how I got to five. I guess with my fighting spirit, somehow I managed to win those two sets," he said.

Croatia's 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic, one of 47 men aged 30 or over in the men's singles, became the oldest man to play a first-round match in the Wimbledon singles since Ken Rosewall in 1975.

The giant Croat served 20 aces as he beat Andrea Arnaboldi in straight sets and will meet Fabbiano next.

Last year's runner-up Kevin Anderson cruised through in straight sets against Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Eight-time champion Roger Federer and women's defending champion Angelique Kerber, as well as 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, start their campaigns on Tuesday.

American 15-year-old Cori Gauff stole the show on the opening day of Wimbledon with a debut victory over five-time champion and her inspiration Venus Williams. Gauff, the youngest woman ever to survive the qualifying tournament, played like a seasoned performer as she clinically beat the 39-year-old great 6-4, 6-4 to earn a standing ovation from an enchanted Court One crowd.

American 15-year-old Cori Gauff stole the show on the opening day of Wimbledon with a debut victory over five-time champion and her inspiration Venus Williams. Gauff, the youngest woman ever to survive the qualifying tournament, played like a seasoned performer as she clinically beat the 39-year-old great 6-4, 6-4 to earn a standing ovation from an enchanted Court One crowd. "I wouldn't say I didn't expect to win the match. I knew that I was going to go out there and play the way I play," Gauff, who claimed victory on her fourth match point, told reporters. "I wasn't surprised that I won. I mean, I was just overwhelmed at the end," Gauff said. Her victory put everything else in the shade on an opening day full of shocks in both draws. World number two and second seed Naomi Osaka lost 7-6(4), 6-2 to dangerous Kazakh Yulia Putintseva who had also got the better of her in their recent match in Birmingham - a defeat that effectively cost Osaka the number one ranking. US Open and Australian Open champion Osaka appeared close to tears when she spoke to the media later. "Can I leave? I feel like I'm about to cry," the Japanese 21-year-old said. French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova, the 16th seed, also bowed out but former world number ones Karolina Pliskova, Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka all made it safely through to the second round. DJOKOVIC UNTROUBLED Men's defending champion Novak Djokovic was untroubled as he began his quest for a fifth Wimbledon crown that would take him level on the all-time list with Swedish great Bjorn Borg. The Serb, with former champion Goran Ivanisevic in his box, beat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. It was a bad day for two of the young guns expected to lead the new generation into a brave new era, however. Sixth seed Alexander Zverev lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to Czech Jiri Vesely while Greek 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas went down in five sets to Italian journeyman Thomas Fabbiano. Tsitsipas, in particular, was highly-fancied to have a long run at the All England Club having reached the Australian Open semi-final this year but lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3. "He was just better than me today. I think the way I played, it should have been in three, not five. I don't know how I got to five. I guess with my fighting spirit, somehow I managed to win those two sets," he said. Croatia's 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic, one of 47 men aged 30 or over in the men's singles, became the oldest man to play a first-round match in the Wimbledon singles since Ken Rosewall in 1975. The giant Croat served 20 aces as he beat Andrea Arnaboldi in straight sets and will meet Fabbiano next. Last year's runner-up Kevin Anderson cruised through in straight sets against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Eight-time champion Roger Federer and women's defending champion Angelique Kerber, as well as 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, start their campaigns on Tuesday.

Wimbledon: 15-year-old Cori Gauff stuns idol Venus Williams to steal day one limelight

She hasn't hit the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-sweeps-through-under-keen-gaze-of-ivanisevic-232118">Wimbledon </a>lawns with the same swagger of recent years, but a more chilled Simona Halep still had plenty enough firepower on Monday to sweep past Aliaksandra Sasnovich into the second round 6-4, 7-5.

Not even an awkward fall mid-match could derail her on Court One as the Romanian seventh seed punched through Sasnovich in a match which, although not incident free, lacked any real drama.

In a spell where she seems to be prioritising a healthy perspective over ranking positions, Halep is seeded outside the top five at a grand slam for the first time in three years.

The former world number one suffered a blip in the second set when she started nudging the ball cautiously about the court rather than striking it with confidence. She ended up trailing 5-2, but in the event had too much pedigree for her Belarusian opponent.

"I didn't miss that much and I tried to be more aggressive to hit the ball," she said. "At one point I started to push the ball, and she could play her game. She plays well when she goes for it."

Sasnovich, conqueror of Petra Kvitova in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/second-seed-naomi-osaka-crashes-out-in-first-round-of-wimbledon-232123">Wimbledon </a>first round last year, did play well in patches and showed a little of what can make her dangerous. But she rarely threatened to bother Halep unduly, and Halep advanced, albeit with a sore knee and Achilles to add to her worries in southwest London.

"It's okay in this moment. But I need to do the treatment," she said of her injury scare. "I feel a little bit (sore). I think it's a little bit stretched, the muscle behind the knee, and also the Achilles. Hopefully, it is nothing dangerous and I can recover until the next match," she said.

"IT'S A CHILL YEAR"

Halep has measured expectations here. "Well, I said this year it's a chill year and I'm not putting pressure on myself," she said. "So I'm not analysing that much,'' Halep said.

"I just want to go on court and to see how good I can be this year. Next year maybe I will push a little bit more. Now I feel happy on court, I feel good. I just try to win every match I play. Nothing else on my mind."

This time last year she entered the tournament ranked number one in the world. Her ranking has slipped since, as she has focused on "normal" things. "Off-court things," she smiled. "I'm going out with friends, spending time with my family more, going out more."

That appetite for a more normal life may pay dividends down the track. "When I lose a match now, I'm not making a disaster of it," she said.

"I'm still motivated. I'm still ambitious. But, you know, I don't say, 'Okay, I'm here and I have to do this ...', I'm taking things easier.''

"I feel much better. I feel more relaxed. I try just to improve in other ways, not only on tennis way.''

"Back then it was a little bit of more pressure. Now I don't expect big things from myself, this period. I just try to improve in my attitude, in my game, as well. I'm not that stressed that I have to win every match I play. I see things a little bit differently."

She will face Mihaela Buzarnescu, 31, in an all-Romanian second round tie.

She hasn't hit the Wimbledon lawns with the same swagger of recent years, but a more chilled Simona Halep still had plenty enough firepower on Monday to sweep past Aliaksandra Sasnovich into the second round 6-4, 7-5.

She hasn't hit the Wimbledon lawns with the same swagger of recent years, but a more chilled Simona Halep still had plenty enough firepower on Monday to sweep past Aliaksandra Sasnovich into the second round 6-4, 7-5. Not even an awkward fall mid-match could derail her on Court One as the Romanian seventh seed punched through Sasnovich in a match which, although not incident free, lacked any real drama. In a spell where she seems to be prioritising a healthy perspective over ranking positions, Halep is seeded outside the top five at a grand slam for the first time in three years. The former world number one suffered a blip in the second set when she started nudging the ball cautiously about the court rather than striking it with confidence. She ended up trailing 5-2, but in the event had too much pedigree for her Belarusian opponent. "I didn't miss that much and I tried to be more aggressive to hit the ball," she said. "At one point I started to push the ball, and she could play her game. She plays well when she goes for it." Sasnovich, conqueror of Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon first round last year, did play well in patches and showed a little of what can make her dangerous. But she rarely threatened to bother Halep unduly, and Halep advanced, albeit with a sore knee and Achilles to add to her worries in southwest London. "It's okay in this moment. But I need to do the treatment," she said of her injury scare. "I feel a little bit (sore). I think it's a little bit stretched, the muscle behind the knee, and also the Achilles. Hopefully, it is nothing dangerous and I can recover until the next match," she said. "IT'S A CHILL YEAR" Halep has measured expectations here. "Well, I said this year it's a chill year and I'm not putting pressure on myself," she said. "So I'm not analysing that much,'' Halep said. "I just want to go on court and to see how good I can be this year. Next year maybe I will push a little bit more. Now I feel happy on court, I feel good. I just try to win every match I play. Nothing else on my mind." This time last year she entered the tournament ranked number one in the world. Her ranking has slipped since, as she has focused on "normal" things. "Off-court things," she smiled. "I'm going out with friends, spending time with my family more, going out more." That appetite for a more normal life may pay dividends down the track. "When I lose a match now, I'm not making a disaster of it," she said. "I'm still motivated. I'm still ambitious. But, you know, I don't say, 'Okay, I'm here and I have to do this ...', I'm taking things easier.'' "I feel much better. I feel more relaxed. I try just to improve in other ways, not only on tennis way.'' "Back then it was a little bit of more pressure. Now I don't expect big things from myself, this period. I just try to improve in my attitude, in my game, as well. I'm not that stressed that I have to win every match I play. I see things a little bit differently." She will face Mihaela Buzarnescu, 31, in an all-Romanian second round tie.

Wimbledon: 'It's a chill year', says Simona Halep as she sweeps past Sasnovich

Naomi Osaka's bid to win a third Grand Slam title came to a premature end on Monday when she lost to Kazakh Yulia Putintseva, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the first round.&nbsp;

The 21-year-old Japanese said she had felt a weight lifted from her after losing her number one world ranking but it did not show against a talented opponent on Centre Court.&nbsp;

Indeed Putintseva simply franked the form from the recent Birmingham tournament where she had beaten the US Open and Australian Open champion in the second round.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
"The biggest win of her career" 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/PutintsevaYulia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PutintsevaYulia</a> upsets world No.2 Naomi Osaka 7-6(4), 6-2 on Centre Court to book her second round spot <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/PQQYpFsQqu">pic.twitter.com/PQQYpFsQqu</a>
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1145726694755635200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Match Stats:

Putintseva 2-Osaka

Aces 3 3 
Double faults 3 1 
Breakpoints won 3/7 1/4 
Net points won 1/3 13/20 
Winners 15 34 
Unforced errors 7 38 
Total points won 74 67 
Match duration: one hour and 35 minutes

Naomi Osaka's bid to win a third Grand Slam title came to a premature end on Monday when she lost to Kazakh Yulia Putintseva, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the first round. The 21-year-old Japanese said she had felt a weight lifted from her after losing her number one world ranking but it did not show against a talented opponent on Centre Court.

Naomi Osaka's bid to win a third Grand Slam title came to a premature end on Monday when she lost to Kazakh Yulia Putintseva, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the first round. The 21-year-old Japanese said she had felt a weight lifted from her after losing her number one world ranking but it did not show against a talented opponent on Centre Court. Indeed Putintseva simply franked the form from the recent Birmingham tournament where she had beaten the US Open and Australian Open champion in the second round. "The biggest win of her career" 👏@PutintsevaYulia upsets world No.2 Naomi Osaka 7-6(4), 6-2 on Centre Court to book her second round spot #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/PQQYpFsQqu — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2019 × Match Stats: Putintseva 2-Osaka Aces 3 3 Double faults 3 1 Breakpoints won 3/7 1/4 Net points won 1/3 13/20 Winners 15 34 Unforced errors 7 38 Total points won 74 67 Match duration: one hour and 35 minutes

Second seed Naomi Osaka crashes out in first round of Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic got the defence of his Wimbledon title off to an impressive start when, serving superbly, he overwhelmed Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the first match on Centre Court on Monday.

After a few early wobbles Djokovic triumphed 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 as, perhaps already buoyed by the presence of new coach Goran Ivanisevic, he really hit the mark with his serves.

"He's someone I've always looked up to and we've been friends for a long time - though usually on the opposite side of the net," Djokovic said of the 2001 champion who has come on board as part of his coaching team.

"He's coached lots of great players, so it's great to have him on my side. He's going to stay for sure through the first week then we'll see. It's a great pleasure to have such a champion and hopefully, we can have a long collaboration."

Djokovic, 32, came into the tournament having decided not to play a grass-court warm-up event and he must have been a little edgy having lost to Kohlschreiber in straight sets on the hard courts of Indian Wells earlier this year.

For a man not so well known outside tennis circles, 35-year-old Kohlschreiber has a long, if not particularly distinguished, career.

This Wimbledon was his 60th grand slam event - putting him joint-ninth in the open-era on the appearances list. It was also his 15th successive Wimbledon, but Monday's two-hour show marked the ninth time he had failed to get past the first round.

The champion made an inauspicious start, double-faulting his first serve en route to being broken, but quickly found his feet to reel off the next four games and win the first set 6-3.

Kohlschreiber found his length with more consistency in the second and the two traded heavy blows in crowd-pleasing rallies not often seen these days on the grass.

At 4-4 the German saved three break points - the last courtesy of a successful challenge - only to drop his next service game as Djokovic served out for 7-5 and a two-set lead.

The early stages of the third set were also entertainingly well-fought, with both men nailing the baseline with huge power until Djokovic really found his serving rhythm to take command and wrap up the match by taking it 6-3.

"It felt great, it's the sacred court, the cradle of our sport and it has a special place in my heart and my career," Djokovic said.

"Opening round matches are always tricky, he has a lot of experience and beat me this year. I know he can play good quality tennis, he takes the ball early, so it was a great test for me and all three sets were pretty close."

Novak Djokovic got the defence of his Wimbledon title off to an impressive start when, serving superbly, he overwhelmed Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the first match on Centre Court on Monday.

Novak Djokovic got the defence of his Wimbledon title off to an impressive start when, serving superbly, he overwhelmed Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the first match on Centre Court on Monday. After a few early wobbles Djokovic triumphed 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 as, perhaps already buoyed by the presence of new coach Goran Ivanisevic, he really hit the mark with his serves. "He's someone I've always looked up to and we've been friends for a long time - though usually on the opposite side of the net," Djokovic said of the 2001 champion who has come on board as part of his coaching team. "He's coached lots of great players, so it's great to have him on my side. He's going to stay for sure through the first week then we'll see. It's a great pleasure to have such a champion and hopefully, we can have a long collaboration." Djokovic, 32, came into the tournament having decided not to play a grass-court warm-up event and he must have been a little edgy having lost to Kohlschreiber in straight sets on the hard courts of Indian Wells earlier this year. For a man not so well known outside tennis circles, 35-year-old Kohlschreiber has a long, if not particularly distinguished, career. This Wimbledon was his 60th grand slam event - putting him joint-ninth in the open-era on the appearances list. It was also his 15th successive Wimbledon, but Monday's two-hour show marked the ninth time he had failed to get past the first round. The champion made an inauspicious start, double-faulting his first serve en route to being broken, but quickly found his feet to reel off the next four games and win the first set 6-3. Kohlschreiber found his length with more consistency in the second and the two traded heavy blows in crowd-pleasing rallies not often seen these days on the grass. At 4-4 the German saved three break points - the last courtesy of a successful challenge - only to drop his next service game as Djokovic served out for 7-5 and a two-set lead. The early stages of the third set were also entertainingly well-fought, with both men nailing the baseline with huge power until Djokovic really found his serving rhythm to take command and wrap up the match by taking it 6-3. "It felt great, it's the sacred court, the cradle of our sport and it has a special place in my heart and my career," Djokovic said. "Opening round matches are always tricky, he has a lot of experience and beat me this year. I know he can play good quality tennis, he takes the ball early, so it was a great test for me and all three sets were pretty close."

Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic sweeps through under keen gaze of Ivanisevic

Stan Wawrinka was barely mentioned in the Wimbledon build-up with all the focus on the men's "big three" and the young guns hoping to shake things up but the Swiss means business.

Outside of eight-time champion Roger Federer, twice winner Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic, Wawrinka is the only other multiple Grand Slam champion in the draw.

With the weapons at his disposal, a beefy serve and a sublime backhand and a big match mentality, Wawrinka should at least part of the conversation when it comes to discussing contenders to make a deep run this fortnight.

The 34-year-old needs a Wimbledon title to complete his career Grand Slam and while, for whatever reason, he has never thrived on the All England Club lawns, he looked razor sharp as he began his 15th successive appearance.

On a sunny Court Two against Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans he belted 26 winners in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory that took less than an hour and a half.

Admittedly left-hander Bemelmans, ranked 171, was having a decidedly ordinary day with his forehand misfiring completely but it was a powerful statement by Wawrinka nonetheless.

A year ago Wawrinka arrived at Wimbledon ranked outside the top 200 having had knee surgery after the 2017 Championships.

On that occasion he beat Grigor Dimitrov in the opening round but then lost to qualifier Tomas Fabbiano.

Surprisingly for a player of his class Wawrinka has only reached two quarter-finals at Wimbledon, in 2014 when he lost to Roger Federer and in 2015 when beaten by Richard Gasquet.

It is his worst Grand Slam, with his win over Bemelmans improving his career record there to 20-14, compared to 42-14 at Roland Garros, 40-12 at the US&nbsp;Open and 38-13 in Australia.

He has not been into the third round since 2015 and to end that sequence he will have a stern test next against giant American Reilly Opelka.

Stan Wawrinka was barely mentioned in the Wimbledon build-up with all the focus on the men's "big three" and the young guns hoping to shake things up but the Swiss means business.

Stan Wawrinka was barely mentioned in the Wimbledon build-up with all the focus on the men's "big three" and the young guns hoping to shake things up but the Swiss means business. Outside of eight-time champion Roger Federer, twice winner Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic, Wawrinka is the only other multiple Grand Slam champion in the draw. With the weapons at his disposal, a beefy serve and a sublime backhand and a big match mentality, Wawrinka should at least part of the conversation when it comes to discussing contenders to make a deep run this fortnight. The 34-year-old needs a Wimbledon title to complete his career Grand Slam and while, for whatever reason, he has never thrived on the All England Club lawns, he looked razor sharp as he began his 15th successive appearance. On a sunny Court Two against Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans he belted 26 winners in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory that took less than an hour and a half. Admittedly left-hander Bemelmans, ranked 171, was having a decidedly ordinary day with his forehand misfiring completely but it was a powerful statement by Wawrinka nonetheless. A year ago Wawrinka arrived at Wimbledon ranked outside the top 200 having had knee surgery after the 2017 Championships. On that occasion he beat Grigor Dimitrov in the opening round but then lost to qualifier Tomas Fabbiano. Surprisingly for a player of his class Wawrinka has only reached two quarter-finals at Wimbledon, in 2014 when he lost to Roger Federer and in 2015 when beaten by Richard Gasquet. It is his worst Grand Slam, with his win over Bemelmans improving his career record there to 20-14, compared to 42-14 at Roland Garros, 40-12 at the US Open and 38-13 in Australia. He has not been into the third round since 2015 and to end that sequence he will have a stern test next against giant American Reilly Opelka.

Wimbledon: Stan Wawrinka means business as he opens with easy victory

Eight women to watch out for at Wimbledon 2019

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