Wimbledon 2023: Rybakina Returns to Centre Court
London, ENGLAND – With the Princess of Wales looking on with approval from the Royal Box on Centre Court, the reigning queen of the Wimbledon grass, Elena Rybakina (KAZ), made a successful start to the defence of her title.
Victory for Rybakina, a head-to-toe Yonex ambassador, was just one of the many highlights for Team Yonex from the opening round at the All England Club. With 30 per cent of the women’s Top 50 choosing to play with Yonex racquets, and 18 per cent of the men’s Top 50 also putting their trust in the iconic Japanese brand, Team Yonex has big ambitions for the third Grand Slam of the season.
As the defending women's champion, who last summer became the first man or woman from Kazakhstan to win a Grand Slam singles title, Rybakina had the honour of 'opening' Centre Court on Tuesday. Under a closed roof, she came from a set down for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Shelby Rogers of the United States.
Hoping to stay loose and relaxed on what he calls "the most beautiful tennis courts in the world", Casper Ruud (NOR) could be about to go further than ever before at the All England Club. The head-to-toe Yonex ambassador, who reached the Roland-Garros final last month and is attempting to become the first Norwegian to win a major, beat a French qualifier Laurent Lokoli 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Victory over British wild card Liam Broady would take him into the lasts 32 for the first time.
Shapolavov and Paul win their Yonex showdowns
Denis Shapovalov (CAN), who reached the semi-finals in 2021, has the skills to go deep into the draw again. The left-handed Canadian won a Yonex showdown with qualifier Radu Albot (MDA), going through 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Tommy Paul (USA), who reached the final in Eastbourne last week, continued that grass court form with a 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 victory against another member of Team Yonex in Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN), a 20-year-old qualifier who won the boys' singles title on these lawns in 2019.
Shelton learning quickly
Fast-learning Ben Shelton (USA) is quickly adjusting to playing on grass. The 20-year-old American, who only played on the surface for the first time a few weeks ago, advanced with a 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Japanese lucky loser Taro Daniel.
Strong start for Tiafoe
Playing his first Grand Slam since breaking into the Top 10, Frances Tiafoe (USA) enjoyed a 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory over China's Yibing Wu. The American is feeling good about his grass-court game after recently winning a first title on the surface in Stuttgart.
Veteran Wawrinka on the move again
Stan Wawrinka (SUI), who has won every Grand Slam apart from Wimbledon, advanced with a 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori. The head-to-toe Yonex ambassador has twice reached the quarter-finals at the All England Club, most recently in 2015.
Garcia seeking another run
Looking to reach the second week of Wimbledon for a second year in a row, Caroline Garcia (FRA) went through in straight sets. The head-to-toe Yonex ambassador was a 6-4, 6-3 winner against Katie Volynets of the United States.
Hurkacz has big plans
With his height, reach and power, Hubert Hurkacz (POL) is capable of playing a high level of grass-court tennis, as he demonstrated by reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2021. The Pole was in command of his opening match, beating Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.