Tennis
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The first day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships is in full swing, with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz through after a five-set thriller against the retiring Fabio Fognini.
Alcaraz avoided an upset on a day when several seeds were shocked — including Rune (8), Medvedev (9), Cerúndolo (16), and Tsitsipas (24).
American Taylor Fritz (5) is a set down against the unseeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, though compatriot Frances Tiafoe (12) is through.
In the women's singles, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was among those to win on a hot first day with temperatures reaching 90F (32C).
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Namely, Taylor Fritz (5) vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court, and Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Arthur Rinderknech on Centre Court.
Zverev leads 4-3 on serve in the first set.
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Taylor Fritz (5), two sets down against the unseeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, is at least making some headway in the third set.
He leads by a break at 3-2 up and is serving to make it 4-2.
The American has his fifth set point at 7-6 but Mpetshi Perricard with a big shot at serve plus one to make it 7-7 before showing off the deftness of his drop shot to make it 8-7.
Now 8-8! A brilliant inside-in forehand down the line sees Fritz dive full-length to keep it in, and he does, meaning the Frenchman's next shot to his left is beyond his desperate stumble.
Nasty scrape on Fritz's knee for his troubles, too.
9-8… and Mpetshi Perricard takes the second set too! 7-6(8), after he won the first 7-6(6). If fifth seed Fritz is to progress, he will need to go the distance and do it in five sets.
Can the American avoid going two sets down?
Let's find out…
Katie Boulter has done it!
She's shocked the ninth seed Paula Badosa on Centre Court!
What a way to start the tournament for the Brit, 28, from Leicester.
Her partner Alex de Minaur plays Roberto Carballés Baena in the first round at 11am BST tomorrow.
British hope Katie Boulter is two points from the match against ninth seed and favorite Paula Badosa.
Into the decider, Boulter won the first set 6-2 before losing the second 3-6.
Now she leads 5-4 and is up 30-0. Three match points at 40-0…
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For any latecomers who can't be bothered with the walk from Wimbledon to the train station in the heat…
Ouch, Taylor…
The extremely tall Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard takes the first set 7-6(6).
A really tough first-round draw for Fritz and he is struggling so far.
Taylor Fritz (5) and the unseeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard are locked at 6-6 in the first set.
Into a tiebreak we go.
I am quickly realising the best thing about being at Wimbledon is wandering around and just following the noise or the crowd.
Court 18 was absolutely packed out this evening as four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka closed out a two sets to love win (6-4, 7-6) over Australia’s Talia Gibson.
It is one of the courts where nearby neighbours get to view the tennis for free from their windows.
A perk of living in the neighbourhood.
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Let's check in on how the Americans are doing on court now.
And some results from earlier:
Some scores for you:
And the results from earlier today:
Don't go anywhere.
The American fifth seed has just begun against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on No. 1 Court.
1-0 to the Frenchman on serve.
These two were peeking through the fence and bushes outside the All England Club earlier today.
Clearly on the lookout for action.
Here at The Athletic is your best place for second-screen (or even main-screen) ways to follow proceedings without having to squint through shrubbery.
And a reminder: you can email us at: live@theathletic.com with any questions, comments, observations, or otherwise!
Look forward to hearing from you.
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Goodness me.
American Amanda Anisimova (13) has just double-bagelled Yulia Putintseva (no mug, she reached the fourth round here last year), 6-0, 6-0.
It only took 43 minutes.
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Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a first-round match at a Grand Slam.
He came as close as he has probably ever come today.
Chapeau, Monsieur Fognini (yes, I know he's Italian).
Lots still due tonight, and that's on top of the matches which are currently on court!
In the men's singles, third seed Alexander Zverev faces Arthur Rinderknech, while American Taylor Fritz (5) plays another Frenchman in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
In the women's:
