Tsitsipas serves up a treat as Iga hits 37

SO NOW we know how Stefanos Tsitsipas nurtures those fine locks — an extensive routine involving olive oil and Greek oregano, for those wondering. Over these next few days we should discover whether he has developed a formula to master the grass, too. Here were some promising signs.

The No 4 seed moved into round three here for only the second time with a 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia’s Jordan Thompson. His was a victory built on firm foundations: counter-punching returns and an impenetrable serve. Thompson was broken six times and won just 18 points on the Tsitsipas serve all day. The world No 76 was not blown away — this fun battle featured ferocious exchanges and Australian anger at the officials. Good preparation for Tsitsipas’s next assignment: Nick Kyrgios. ‘I am thrilled to be facing him,’ said the Greek. ‘I respect him a lot. Although he has been a little controversial in the past, he’s playing good tennis. I’m going to concentrate on doing my thing.’ Good luck with that.

Controversy came at 3-3, 40-40 in the second set. Tsitsipas went wide, but the umpire overruled the call as Thompson netted. Tsitsipas was given break point. ‘That was an absolute joke,’ Thompson told the umpire. ‘After the match you’re going to apologise.’ Tsitsipas duly broke, prompting the Australian to smash a ball into the floor. All was more routine thereafter. In the women’s singles, Iga Swiatek had already surpassed Serena and Venus Williams, and now she has matched Martina Hingis. The world No 1’s 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove took her winning streak to 37. It betters Serena’s run of 34 in 2013, Venus’ 35 in 2000 and is the best by any woman since Hingis in 1997.

‘That is special to me,’ said Swiatek, who plays Alize Cornet in the third round. ‘I am going to do my best to get even more.’ Coco Gauff also reached round three with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu.