Novak Djokovic faced a minor challenge in his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title, while Iga Swiatek delivered a confident performance to reach the third round on an emotional Thursday marked by the start of Andy Murray’s farewell.
Murray, having announced this year as his Wimbledon swansong, left few dry eyes on Centre Court. The two-time All England Club champion was honored by past and present Grand Slam winners after a doubles loss with his brother Jamie. The day, featuring several Britons prominently, concluded with Murray set to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu.
Jacob Fearnley, ranked 277th, surprised fans by pushing Djokovic before the 37-year-old Serbian advanced with a 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory. Djokovic, last year’s runner-up, acknowledged he is still recovering from minor knee surgery after an injury at the French Open.
“I do feel the impact on my movement, in terms of speed,” Djokovic said. “I’m late on balls I’m normally not late on. The longer I stay in the tournament, the better my movement will improve.”
Top seed Swiatek, fresh from her Roland Garros victory, had no trouble dispatching Croatian Petra Martic 6-4, 6-3, maintaining her pursuit of a maiden Wimbledon title.
“I’m happy to play in a solid way,” Swiatek said, having now reached at least the third round in 18 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments. “I’m ready to battle even in the first rounds. I’m happy that I’m consistent.”
Swiatek’s Polish compatriot, seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, did not fare as well, becoming the third men’s top-eight player to exit after retiring against Frenchman Arthur Fils with a knee injury. Eleventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas also fell, losing 7-6(6), 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3 to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.
On the women’s side, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina overcame a mid-match lapse to defeat Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Before Murray and his brother’s doubles defeat, Britain’s day at Wimbledon began unconvincingly as Lily Miyazaki was thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.
Later, Cameron Norrie defeated British number one Jack Draper 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(6), while Harriet Dart won a thrilling match against Katie Boulter 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(8) to set up a meeting with China’s Wang Xinyu, who stunned American fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7(9), 6-1.
Former runner-up Ons Jabeur beat Robin Montgomery 6-1, 7-5. On U.S. Independence Day, Danielle Collins defeated Dalma Galfi 6-3, 6-4, and 14th seed Ben Shelton outlasted Lloyd Harris 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(7). Thirteenth seed Taylor Fritz overcame Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, while Marcos Giron was beaten 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 by German fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
