LONDON, July 2, 2018
Stan Wawrinka is back! The three-time Grand Slam champion fought past No. 6 seed Grigor Dimitrov 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(3), 6-4 in the first-round heavyweight clash of The Championships.
Wawrinka, who has slipped outside the world’s Top 200 in recent weeks, won three points more than his opponent from Bulgaria to secure victory in two hours and 50 minutes.
That winning feeling 🙌
A first ever top 10 victory on grass – and you can see what it means to @stanwawrinka#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3Sng70AGBS
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) 2. Juli 2018
“I still think at that moment that I wasn’t playing that bad. I was missing few things. The set went quick,” Wawrinka said. “I’ve been practising so hard last few weeks on grass to get my level there, to be ready for big match, to know that I can count on my game. I had to put myself together again, to try to fight, try to find solution.”
Samurai Federer wins
Earlier in the day, Roger Federer opened the action on Centre Court with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win over Dusan Lajovic of Serbia. The 36-year-old Swiss, who walked out with Uniqlo shirt, shorts, socks and bandana, finished the encounter in only 79 minutes.
“I’m very happy, felt good to from the start which was nice. Last year I struggled early on a lot. I felt right at home, so a really nice feeling. I got the early break in each set and was able to bring it home, and was happy with my focus and point for mentality, it worked well today so I and be happy,” Federer said.
“Of course I get nervous playing here, it started two days ago when I knew the draw, started speaking about it in the press room and being asked about it, which is a good way to get ready for it. You’re just excited. It is a great court so I am privileged, the excitement of the fans is always there.”
In a big all-French clash out on Court Two it was Gael Monfils who has comfortably sealed victory against Richard Gasquet. Monfils won out in straight sets 7-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Liam Broady put up a fight in the first set but it was a bit of a procession after that as Milos Raonic cruised to a 7-5, 6-0, 6-1 victory on Court One.
Borna Coric, who beat Federer in the final at Halle last month has been beaten in straight sets by Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Wozniacki advances, Stephens falls
In the women’s draw, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, the tournament’s second seed, needed 59 minutes to beat US-American Varvara Lepchenko 6-0, 6-3.
Five-time Wimbledon champion and last year’s runner-up Venus Williams made a slow start before beating Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-1.
Serena Williams beat Arantxa Rus 7-5, 6-3.
Donna Vekic scored her first Top 5 win of her career with a first-round upset of Roland Garros runner-up Sloane Stephens. The 22-year-old from Croatia broke serve six times to secure victory in one hour and 11 minutes.
“I always try to be aggressive,” Vekic told BBC Sport. “I struggled with my serve in the wind but hopefully I can improve.
“I played all the tournaments on grass coming here and that has helped me.”
