Centre Court date makes up for bubble life, says Barty
LIFE in the Wimbledon's Covid-19 bubble is not everyone's cup of tea, but women's top seed Ashleigh Barty is happy to reside in at as long as required if it means more Centre Court appearances.
The 25-year-old was handed the prestigious opening slot yesterday, usually reserved for women's defending champions, for her first-round clash with Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.
That was because Simona Halep is missing due to injury, but the way Barty played for most of a 6-1 6-7(1) 6-1 victory over the Spaniard in an eye-catching contest augured well for her chances of claiming the title for the first time.
It was Barty's first grasscourt match for two years and she looked perfectly at home on the lush turf under the roof that closed early on in the match when rain began to fall.
"The bubble is all worth it to be able to experience moments like today on a beautiful Centre Court," said Barty, who wore a white dress similar to the one fellow Australian Evonne Goolagong wore when she won her first Wimbledon title 50 years ago.
"My first time playing under the Centre Court roof as well. When it was closing, Carla and I both were kind of looking, peaking outside and looking at it. It was just unbelievable.
"To play my first round on there against Carla was awesome. The bubbles are worth it. It's what we have to do to be able to experience this tournament."
Former world number one Angelique Kerber made a wobbly start against debutant Nina Stojanovic before finding her groove on grass to secure a 6-4 6-3 victory and reach the second round.
Former world number two and 2010 finalist Vera Zvonareva also advanced with her first Wimbledon main-draw win since 2014, defeating Marie Bouzkova 7-5 6-4. She faces Iga Swiatek next.
Former world number one Karolina Pliskova began her quest for a maiden grand slam title with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek.
The Czech eighth seed was joined in the second round by Ons Jabeur, who beat Rebecca Peterson 6-2 6-1.
Greece's Maria Sakkari, returning to action for the first time since her French Open semi-final defeat, powered past Aranxta Rus of the Netherlands 6-1
6-1 in 49 minutes. Britain’s Dan Evans, beat veteran Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-6(4) 6-2 7-5 in the men’s draw. The no-nonsense Evans said it was about time the "plucky loser" line wheeled out to describe British failures at Wimbledon was retired for good.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany fired 35 winners and sent down 20 aces to ease past Dutch qualifier Tallon Griekspoor 6-3 6-4 6-1 in 89 minutes. | Reuters