Wimbledon Begins On Its Captivating Green Grass With A Visible Cloak of Tension
The Centre Court at Wimbledon was not only draped in sunshine but was covered in a visible cloak of tension too. The World No. 1 and defending Champion Jannik Sinner opened the Centre Court as the most prestigious of Grand Slams, Wimbledon, began on its captivating green grass.
Sinner Was Still In the French Open Mould
The Court was packed to the rafters in anticipation of a quick Sinner show in the first round, against the unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. However, the match somewhat started from where the Italian had left off after his early loss at the French Open.
READ Sinner Wilts in the Parisian Heat
Kecmanovic Seizes The Initiative, Wins The First Set
Kecmanovic was in top form and won the first set, as Sinner, trying too hard at times, had a string of unforced errors. The Serb very smartly kept the ball in play and wrapped up the set 6-4.
Sinner Wins The Second…
The Defending Champion came back to win the second 6-3, and the spectators, wanting to see Sinner advance, heaved a sigh of relief. The worst was over, they thought, but an awkward fall had made them hold their breath. The fragile Sinner looked in pain but kept on playing as his right boot began to show red patches of blood oozing out of his shoes.
… But Loses the Third with a bleeding foot
In the third set, Sinner had several break points, but the big Serbian saved all of them and pushed the set into a tie-break, with Sinner’s foot still bleeding. The Defending Champion took a 3-0 lead in the tie-break and held a set point at 6-5. But again, Kecmanovic saved the set point by winning an amazing rally. It was indeed the best point of the match, and to top it all, he went on to win the set.
Was An Upset on the cards? The tension was Palpable
The tension by this time had completely gripped the centre Court. A sensational upset was lurking on the horizon. Sinner had a bad record in 5-setters, and with the momentum completely in Kecmanovic’s hands, a strange feeling had completely engulfed the Court. The question was:’ Can Sinner survive 5 sets? ‘.
Sinner Comes Back Strongly To Win the 4th
Sinner continued with the bleeding foot and improved his game a few notches. He steadied his ground strokes, trying to minimise the errors and served brilliantly. The Champion was getting better. Sinner broke Kecmanovic twice to quickly wrap up the 4th set 6-2. It was bizarre that he continued to play with a blood-soaked shoe.
And Wraps Up the 5th Too, To Win The Match
Kecmanovic, who had given it all in the 3rd set, failed to launch a counter as Sinner began to rise in confidence. At 4-3 in the 5th set, Sinner broke Kecmanovic and served to win the set 6-3 and the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.
The Tension Had Evaporated
Tension just evaporated in thin air as the audience stood up in applause for both players. Sinner had a mighty scare, but escaped unscathed. His 31 aces and an 89℅ winning percentage on 1st serve helped sail him through.
Sinner’s Health – A Big Talking Point
Sinner’s health, however, remains the talking point. Can he survive the heat and a confident opposition, which is gleefully witnessing a decline in Sinner’s invincibility?
