Key events
Er yeah, Alcaraz breaks back immediately and to love – though hold tight the 21-year-old, who’s forcing him to play better. Otherwise, Paolini has broken Sorribes Tormo back for 2-2, Kostyuk, seeded 18, leads Sramkova 6-3 4-2, Monfils leads Mannarino, seeded 22, 6-4 1-2 with a break, and Nakashima leads Baez, seeded 18, 6-2 4-2
Lajal, though, is playing nicely – as you might assume of a kid with that on his heed, he’s not nervous, while Alcaraz hasn’t got his feet going. As such, only the second Estonian ever to play in the men’s championships breaks for 3-2 and the champ is under a spot of pressure.
So while we’re here, here’s Joy of Six: ponytails, including some chat on steps and Roger Federer.
I promised Lajal’s barnet and here it is. Who’s going to tell him?
I’ve binned Wawrinkz v Broom at 6-3 0-2 to check out Paolini v Sorribes Tormo; the Spaniard currently leads the no7 seed 2-0.
Tiafoe doesn’t need the aforementioned two holds, breaking again to level his match with Arnaldi at two sets apiece. This is our first classic of the championships and you have to back the American to see it out from here, but he’s another upon whom one can never quite rely.
Medvedev serves out for a 6-3 first set against Kovacevic and looks to be enjoying himself; Lajal, whose surname is a palindrome, holds for 1-1 in set one against Alcaraz.
That colour suit, though. I can’t get on board, I’m afraid. Where do you wipe your hands if you’re going to leave prints?
Tiafoe bellows to the crowd after breaking Arnaldi for 4-3 in the fourth, and he’s two holds away from a decider. Alcaraz, meanwhile holds in game one, a match being watched by David Beckham and Sandra, his mum.
This is sad now, but still great.
Wawrinka leads Broom, the Brit, 5-2 in the first. He’s the oldest man in this year’s competition and we’ve obligated to enjoy him while we still can; not many have hands like his.
We’ve not visited with Arnaldi and Tiafoe for a while, so let’s check it out and … it’s a war now. The Italian leads 2-1 but at 3-3 in set three, we’re a long way from the end.
The umpire in the Alcaraz match is wearing a flat cap like he’s channelling Percy Sugden. It’s not sunny.
Back to McCartney Kessler, that is one of the all-time great American surname-as-firstname jobs. I do hope she’s named after George, the former Sunderland defender.
On Centre, Carlos Alcaraz will shortly begin the defence of his crown – he faces Mark Lajal, who’s come all nicely shorn for the occasion. As soon as we’ve photos, I’ll share the joy.
Medvedev has started nicely on his favourite No1 Court, leading Kovacevic 4-1, while on 12, Berrettini has done his breaker trick to lead Fucsovics 7-6(3).
Ah, I said Andreeva would be enjoying her Court 1 jaunt but actually it’s not happening: instead of Bektas v Sabalenka it’ll be Marta Trevisan v Madison Keys (12) moved from No 3.
I meant to say earlier, Maria Sakkari – seeded nine but capable of losing any match – disposed of McCartney Kessler 6-3 6-1. She meets Arantxa Rus or Yuan Yue next.
Casper Ruud (8) beats Alex Bolt 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4
That’s a good workout on his least favourite surface for the Dane, who was made to work hard for his win. He meets Fabio Fognini next, who sorted Luca van Assche 6-1 6-3 7-5.
Emine Sinmaz
He has yet to decide if he is fit enough to play at Wimbledon, but Andy Murray fans have been queuing since Saturday for the chance to see the British star play in what could be his last singles game at SW19.
The two-time former champion had surgery nine days ago to remove a cyst on his spine and revealed at a press conference on Sunday that he did not yet have “100%” feeling in his right leg.
He said he expected to decide on Monday evening whether or not he would compete in the mens’ singles on Tuesday, but the uncertainty did not stop Murray mania from hitting SW19 a day early.
Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Club, said that fan would be “absolutely desperate” to see him play.
“All of the fans coming here will be absolutely keen to see Andy, there’s no doubt about that and so we would love to see him on court. Of course, if he isn’t we’ve got plenty of other tennis going on, but I know that the fans will be absolutely desperate to see him play so we wish him well in in getting on court,” she said.
On No1, Kovacevic and Medvedev are away, Medvedev holding for 1-0, while on 2, Stan Wawrinka and Charlie Broom are out.
Tiafoe has taken the third set off Arnaldi 6-1, to trail 2-1; as we said, there’s scope for this little tussle to go longting. Other hand, Bolt has just struggled to a hold against Ruud, who must now serve for the match at 7-6 6-4 5-4 – though the Aussie has given him greater grief than the scoreline suggests.
Jerry Shang beats Cristian Garin 7-5 6-4 6-4
A terrific performance from the 19-year-old, who meets Dimitrov (10) next. You can absolutely guarantee I’ll be watching that.
Down break point, a swinging lefty serve down the T restores deuce for Shang, but a missed backhand down the line allows Garin another go; again he redeems it, then goes long on the forehand before winning a net exchange.
Denis Shapovalov beats Nicolás Jarry (19) 6-1 7-5 6-4
A convincing win for the Canadian and he meets Altmaier or Fery next.
Meantime, Shang is serving for the match against Garín leaving 5-4 in the third.
I guess a lucky loser is getting a little boost … and it’s Erika Andreeva, older sister of Mirra yet only 20 herself, who’ll face Emina Bektas second on No1.
Aryna Sabalenka, seeded three, has pulled out of Wimbledon
Ach, that’s minging news. She looked good for a run at the title, but her shoulder injury has beaten her this time.
Grigor Dimitrov (10) beats Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4 7-5
Decent win for wa Griggzy, but he’s done something to his shoulder in the process – the pace on his serve went right down. Next up: Shang or Garin, Shang now leading by two sets and a break.
On No2 Court, Dimitrov is serving for the match against Lajovic, while in seven or so minutes, Aleksandar Kovacevic and Daniil Medvedev will appear on No1.
Greet Minnen beats Heather Watson 7-5 6-4
The wildcard-toting Brit loses to her doubles partner, who played really well today. Minnen meets Jasmine Paolini (7) or Sara Sorribes Tormo next.
Oh but Heather Watson, serving at 5-7 4-5, is match-point down at advantage…
Dayana Yastremska (28) beats Nadia Podoroska 6-1 7-6(1)
Next for her is Varvara Gracheva, who saw off Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 6-1.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (25) beats Taylor Townsend 7-6(4) 6-1
She meets Zhu Lin next, the Cahinese having seen off Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0 6-4.
Ruud is almost into round two, leading Bolt 7-6 6-4; Watson and Minnen at level at 4-4 in set two, the Belgian having taken the first; and Fognini leads Van Assche, the talented young Frenchman, 6-1 6-3 2-0.