Iga Swiatek makes quick work of Zhu Lin at Wimbledon

Tennis365 03 Jul 2023 3:30 PM

Iga Swiatek plays a forehand down the line

Iga Swiatek did not take long to get her Wimbledon campaign off to a winning start as she easily disposed of Zhu Lin.

The world number one is looking to add to the French Open and US Open titles she has won in the last 10 months and made a convincing opening on Court One, winning 6-1 6-3.

The Pole does not have the best pedigree at SW19, having never made it past the fourth round, but signs are positive that this will be the year she has a proper crack at winning the title.

Chinese Zhu – ranked 34th in the world – was no match for her, with a routine victory only slightly delayed by a rain shower that saw the roof on Court One closed.

“Grass court season is so short, it always becomes a priority kind of before the grass court season,” Swiatek said ahead of the tournament.

“Throughout the whole year, I’m not really thinking about that.

“For sure, like deeply I believe the best players, they can play on all surfaces.

“I want to become that kind of player who can play well on grass, as well, and feel comfortable there. For sure I’m doing my best to just work on my skills.”

Swiatek insists she feels less pressure to perform at Wimbledon this season.

“Last year, I felt a lot of pressure here because I was No.1,” Swiatek said.

“That was the first year where I could just focus on practicing, actually learning a lot. So hopefully I’m going to be able to use that in my matches. For sure, getting used to the grass was always a tricky part because when you play well on Roland Garros, then you have less time to prepare for Wimbledon.”

Fourth seed Jessica Pegula also made it through to the second round, but she was made to work hard against her fellow American Lauren Davis.

After comfortably winning the opener, Pegula was pegged back as it went to a decider only for her to regain control and seal a 6-2 6-7 (8) 6-3 victory.

Two-time US Open champion Victoria Azarenka also needed three sets to beat Yuan Yue 6-4 5-7 6-4.

Russian Liudmila Samsonova did not have the best return to Wimbledon as the 15th seed went out 7-6 (1) 7-6 (4) to Ana Bogdan, making her the biggest casualty on day one.

Harriet Dart was the first home player to be knocked out as she lost in three sets to Frenchwoman Diane Parry.