Wimbledon: Djokovic, Swiatek begin title quests with easy wins on rain-hit first day
- Novak Djokovic is chasing 24th grand slam and seeking to match Roger Federer’s 8 titles at All England Club
- World No 1 Iga Swiatek powers past China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-3 in game that finished under roof on Court One
Defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic and women’s top seed Iga Swiatek started their Wimbledon campaigns in ominous fashion on Monday, as rain temporarily halted play on the outside courts but expected climate protests failed to materialise.
Djokovic, 36, has only lost twice at Wimbledon in a decade and began the Centre Court programme with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 win over Argentine Pedro Cachin after a 70-minute delay despite the roof being closed as ground staff laboured to dry the turf.
The Serbian jokingly wiped the grass with a towel during a frustrating break in play before ground staff deployed leaf blowers to get the job done and allow Djokovic to get his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title off to flying start.
French Open champion Swiatek put down a marker on her least favourite surface as she powered past China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-3, the contest finishing under the Court One roof because of rain.
Swiatek, who last month claimed her third Roland Garros crown in four years and is eyeing a fifth grand slam title, meets Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo next.
There were mixed fortunes for two highly-rated Americans on day one. Fourth seed Jessica Pegula advanced with a blustery 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 win over fellow American Lauren Davis.
