Alexander Zverev spearheaded some strong performances from Top 10 stars in the PIF ATP Rankings on Tuesday at Wimbledon, although World No. 6 Andrey Rublev became the highest-ranked man to fall so far at the grass major.
The fourth-seeded Zverev breezed past Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 on No. 1 Court to reach the second round for the seventh time in eight appearances at SW19. The German powered 46 winners, including 18 aces, in a statement opening win at an event where he is yet to reach the quarter-finals.
“Obviously, first rounds are never easy, but I’m happy with how I started the tournament,” said Zverev in his on-court interview. “I want to compete, I want to do well here at Wimbledon. It’s the most historic tennis tournament that we have.
“I’ve struggled over the years here on these beautiful courts, unfortunately, but I feel different this year. I feel somehow very much more into it, very much more alive on these courts, and hopefully I can show that in the next few matches.”
With his one-hour, 53-minute triumph against Carballes Baena, Zverev set a second-round meeting with Marcos Giron or home wild card Henry Searle in London. He is now 12-2 for the year in Grand Slam matches, having reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and the championship match at Roland Garros.
On No. 2 Court, Rublev lost his perfect record in Wimbledon first rounds after Argentine Francisco Comesana upset the sixth seed 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5). In a match cut in half by a rain delay, the World No. 122 Comesana converted four of five break points he earned to clinch a famous victory in just his second grass-court match at any level, professional or junior.
Comesana’s reward for his win, his first at tour-level in four attempts, is a second-round encounter with Adam Walton. The Australian earlier notched his own maiden major victory by seeing off Federico Coria 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.
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Rublev’s defeat is a blow to the 17-time tour-level titlist’s standing in the PIF ATP Rankings. The 26-year-old was defending quarter-final points from Wimbledon 2023 and has now slipped below Hubert Hurkacz into seventh in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Rublev remains eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, but has missed an important chance to press his Nitto ATP Finals qualification claims at the All England Club.
There were no such troubles for Hubert Hurkacz and Alex de Minaur in their respective first-round outings. The seventh-seeded Hurkacz rallied past Radu Albot 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 with the help of 24 aces to set a meeting with Arthur Fils or Dominic Stricker.
De Minaur, who won his second tour-level title on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last month, defeated his fellow Australian James Duckworth 7-6(1), 7-6(3), 7-6(4). The ninth seed next will hope to improve his break point conversion in his next match after going 3/19 against Duckworth. Jaume Munar, who beat Billy Harris 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, is his next opponent.
Stefanos Tsitsipas fought off a first-round test from Taro Daniel, ousting the Japanese player 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-5 after two hours, 23 minutes. The Greek lifted his aggression in critical moments, crushing 55 winners and frequently looking for opportunities to close points at net.
Seeded 11th, Tsitsipas awaits Emil Ruusuvuori or Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. Tsitsipas is making his seventh Wimbledon appearance, with his best result being a fourth-round run in 2018 and 2023.
Taylor Fritz, fresh off his third Eastbourne title, extended his winning streak to five with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory against Christopher O'Connell. The American No. 1 has not been broken since the Queen's Club quarter-finals. Fritz, who reached the last eight at SW19 two years ago, dropped just two points behind his first delivery en route to a 91-minute win.
Stuttgart champion Jack Draper began his home Slam by treating the crowd to a five-set Centre Court victory. The 22-year-old, seeded 28th, overcame Sweden's Elias Ymer 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
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