Twice as nice for daddy Andy
SHAKY START: ANDERSON RECOVERS TO GO THROUGH
Defending champ shakes off niggling hip problem, but Wawrinka makes another early exit.
London
Defending champion Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal eased into the second round at Wimbledon yesterday, but for world number three Stan Wawrinka it was yet another first round exit here – the sixth of his career.
Murray celebrated the news that he is about to become a father again by downing Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, showing little sign of the hip problem which plagued him in the build-up.
“I have felt OK the last few days and the adrenaline you feel by playing a match numbs any pain you may have,” said the British star after seeing off world number 134 Bublik.
Murray next faces Dustin Brown, the man who knocked out Nadal two years ago.
German world number 97 Brown came back from a set and a break down to beat Portugal’s Joao Sousa 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4.
World number two and twotime champion Nadal secured his 850th career victory with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Australia’s John Millman.
“I haven’t had many matches on grass for the last few years, but I had some positive feelings,” said Nadal, who missed last year’s tournament with a wrist injury.
Swiss fifth seed and French Open runner-up Wawrinka was knocked out by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
“I wasn’t feeling the way I wanted to feel. But I played against a great player who was confident,” said Wawrinka, who suffered from a knee injury requiring an ice pack during every changeover.
Lone South African singles hope Kevin Anderson started his campaign on a shaky note, losing the opening set again Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
He recovered well, however, to secure a 2-6 7-6(5) 7-6(8) 6-3 win over the former world No 8. –