French Open finalist Alexander Zverev began his journey to the long-awaited first Grand Slam title with a comfortable opening victory, while Angelique Kerber suffered another bitter disappointment in her Wimbledon comeback. While the Olympic tennis champion easily beat Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6:2, 6:4, 6:2, the grass classic is also over for Kerber.
The former Wimbledon champion had to admit defeat to Kazakhstani Yulia Putintseva 5:7, 3:6 on her return as a mother to the place of her great triumph in 2018. “Of course I’m disappointed. That was not the result I wanted,” said the 36-year-old: “It was not my day.”
Kerber: “Could have played better”
For the former world number one, the vague hope that the London grass could be the turning point for her dismal Grand Slam record of only defeats this year was not fulfilled. She was also eliminated in the opening match at the Australian Open and the French Open.
“I could have played better – that’s for sure,” Kerber said. Self-critically, she said: “I almost didn’t get into my rhythm at all. When you make so many easy mistakes in the decisive moments, it obviously doesn’t help.”
Against her unpleasant opponent Putintseva, Kerber got off to a bad start and was 0:3 behind. The left-hander repeatedly shook her head at her performance, but kept on fighting. Overall, the Kiel player’s lack of confidence was noticeable. She made some inexplicable mistakes and her opponent scored significantly more direct points. After 78 minutes, Kerber had to pack her bag in disappointment.
Zverev’s nephew offered consolation
Zverev, on the other hand, was in a great mood. After Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier, the Hamburg native is the third German in the men’s competition who has a chance of reaching the third round.
“I’m happy with how I started the tournament,” said Zverev. He chatted casually that his little nephew wanted to console him after losing the French Open final in Paris by telling him that he, too, wanted to win a Grand Slam title in the next Zverev generation. But that remains the big goal of the world number four.
Zverev feels like a title contender
For the first time, Zverev feels like a real contender for the title at Wimbledon. He revealed that he decided early in his career that he hated grass. Now he has decided to love playing on grass. And he feels that if someone has two great weeks, they can achieve a lot on these beautiful courts. “And I hope that’s me,” said the 27-year-old.
He feels better on grass this year and will hopefully be able to show that in the next matches. His next opponent, Marcos Giron from the USA, will probably be a tougher test.
Maria out – Siegemund convincing
In the women’s event, like Kerber, the special Wimbledon feeling is already history for Tatjana Maria two years after reaching the semifinals. Jule Niemeier’s match was postponed due to rain.
Only Laura Siegemund brightened up the women’s dismal record by making it to the second round. The Swabian was not deterred by two rain breaks and impressed with a 6:4, 6:1 win against Kateryna Baindl from Ukraine. The Metzinger took the bad weather in her stride. “It’s quite normal here that there are rain breaks. If that’s enough to throw you off, you’re in the wrong place,” commented the doubles specialist.
Siegemund plays with Kerber at the Olympics
In the fight for a place in the third round, the Metzinger faces a much more difficult task against the 2022 Wimbledon champion, Jelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan. “Against people like that, there isn’t much tactics. It’s about withstanding the massive pressure that comes with the serve and the return,” said Siegemund: “I have nothing to lose – especially not on grass.”
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After her victory, Siegemund announced that she would compete in doubles with Kerber at the Olympic Games. “I spoke to Angie on the phone and she said she would like to play with me,” said the Metzinger (36). “She wants to play doubles when she really has a chance of winning a medal and can really do something. And then that was the best option for me.” The Olympics are Kerber’s next big goal this summer. But she will have to adapt to the clay court, which she likes less. (dpa/bv)
2024-07-03 07:34:43
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