The top-seeded Serb won his second Wimbledon title last year, and came into this year’s tournament with a 41-3 record.
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Serena Williams knew she had to do something – fast.
Twenty-year-old Margarita Gasparyan, a Russian making her Wimbledon debut, broke serve at the first opportunity and led 3-1 in the opening set.
Venus, who took just 42 minutes to sweep aside Brengle, said: “It would be great if I can continue to play well and get there, to play next week”. ‘‘This is the cradle of our sport, Centre Court.
In any case, the threat was real enough for Williams to start screeching after big points as early as the third game.
World number one Serena Williams insists that it is “not guaranteed” that she will win a sixth Wimbledon title this year.
Stubbs has seen Williams slow since the fatigue-causing autoimmune disorder Sjogren’s syndrome which she was diagnosed with in 2011, but believes there’s no doubting her heart.
While Gasparyan had played herself into form on grass by coming through the rounds at Roehampton last week, Williams fine-tuned her game alongside sister Venus at Jack Nicklaus’ pristine courts in North Palm Beach. “I’ve done so well here in the past so I’ll always have so many good memories”, said the 33-year-old American after her 73rd Wimbledon match win secured her a second round clash against Hungary’s Timea Babos.
“I don’t understand what you really want”, said Djokovic, who won 6-4 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court.
Like Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka, who crushed Djokovic’s hopes of completing his career grand slam in the French Open final, Kohlschreiber boasts a lethal backhand but the world number 33 never threatened a first-day shock to rival Lleyton Hewitt’s exit in 2003 when he was also trying to defend the title. After what was going to be a straightforward hold for the Russian, Serena fired right back to break and the chance to serve for the match.
“I don’t think she played badly”. I’m really trying to figure out what’s behind this.
“To beat him here when it’s my last time here as well, it’s tough to find the words”, Nieminen said.
“But it’s all within the rules”.
Maria Sharapova celebrated her opening win at Wimbledon with a run in the park.
While ex- world number one Venus suffers from the condition Sjogren’s Syndrome which can sap her of energy, Germany’s Tommy Haas, the oldest man in the draw at 37, has been patched up after a career blighted by injury.
The British Association of Tennis Supporters have insisted Murray will have the full support of the Wimbledon crowd despite having voiced his support for Scottish independence in last year’s referendum. After a warm embrace with Nieminen at the net, Hewitt went back onto the court without his racket to acknowledge the loud ovation and wave to the fans.
French Open champion Stan Wawrinka beat Joao Sousa of Portugal, 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), on Centre Court.
Djokovic won his second title at Wimbledon past year, beating seven-time champion Roger Federer in five sets.
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Fifth seed Kei Nishikori needed five sets to beat Italy’s Simone Bolelli and there were also wins for Croatia’s Marin Cilic, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Canadian Milos Raonic.
