Sinner survives Wimbledon scare as Djokovic and Sabalenka move through

Defending champion Jannik Sinner needed five sets to avoid a first-round shock at Wimbledon, while Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka also reached round two on a dramatic opening day.

Wimbledon’s opening day delivered immediate drama as defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner survived a five-set scare, Novak Djokovic came through a demanding Centre Court test and Aryna Sabalenka made a composed start to her title bid.

Sinner, the world No. 1 and reigning champion, recovered from two sets to one down to beat Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 6-3. The Italian slipped during the third set and was pushed deep into a fourth hour, but steadied himself strongly over the final two sets to avoid becoming one of Wimbledon’s rare defending men’s champions to exit in the first round. He is due to face Nuno Borges next.

Djokovic also had to work hard under the Centre Court roof, beating China’s Wu Yibing 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 in three hours and 12 minutes. The seven-time Wimbledon champion was under pressure throughout the fourth set but saved a series of break points before breaking at 4-4 and serving out the match. His reward is a second-round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In the women’s draw, Sabalenka moved through more smoothly, defeating Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic 6-2 6-3 in 64 minutes. The world No. 1 was briefly broken while serving for the match, but responded immediately and will next face McCartney Kessler.

There was disappointment for British players on day one. Cameron Norrie lost a deciding-set tie-break to qualifier Michael Zheng, while several home wild cards and qualifiers also exited. Jack Draper’s withdrawal with an arm injury, following Emma Raducanu’s earlier withdrawal, left the British singles story looking thinner than hoped before the second day of play.

Day two brings another packed schedule, with Iga Swiatek, Alexander Zverev and Serena Williams among the headline names due on court, alongside further British interest including Katie Boulter, Billy Harris, Jacob Fearnley and Katie Swan. After a first day full of difficult escapes and early upsets, Wimbledon already has the unsettled feel that makes the first week so compelling.