Match of the day
With the anticipation building ahead of a potential Rafael Nadal-Nick Kyrgios second round meeting, the Australian first had to negotiate a tricky opening match with in-form countryman Jordan Thompson.
An expectant crowd gathered around No.3 Court at 11am and they weren’t disappointed by a contest that went back and forth during three hours and 26 minutes of play.
The most intriguing passage centred around a 22-point third set tie-break that finally went Kyrgios’ way before the most bizarre of fourth sets that quickly swung Thompson’s way, eventually resulting in a ‘bagel’ in his favour.
Kyrgios regrouped swiftly, broke early in the decider and ran out a 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 0-6, 6-1 winner to set up Thursday’s blockbuster with Nadal.
Tweet of the day
Freeze frame
Stat of the day
Quote of the day
Special mention
Just as all the Marcos Baghdatis fans were getting ready to say goodbye to their idol, the 34-year-old Cypriot extended his stay at what is the final tournament of his career.
Baghdatis announced last week that Wimbledon would bring down the curtain on his career, but he guaranteed himself - and his legion of admirers worldwide - one more throw of the dice by beating Canadian Brayden Schnur in straight sets on Court 8.
"I think it’s about time for me," he said on the eve of the tournament. "I feel that it’s been a good ride." Baghdatis will play Italian No.17 seed Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Shot of the day
Under the radar
Given Brazilian qualifier and world No.121 Beatriz Haddad Maia was taking on the 2017 champion and had only ever won one main draw tour level match on grass before today, few would’ve expected her to come away with a victory when she stepped on to No.3 Court with the No.26 seed Garbiñe Muguruza.
But boosted by three Qualifying wins in Roehampton last week, the 23-year-old soon started giving the former world No.1 plenty to think about and when the Spaniard double faulted on match point Haddad Maia had chalked up the third top 20 win of her career.
The 90-minute 6-4, 6-4 victory means the Brazilian goes on to meet British wild card Harriet Dart in the second round with a potential date with top seed Ashleigh Barty looming after that.
