Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek win on Day 1 at Wimbledon

Wimbledon, July 3 (BNA): Novak Djokovic and Ija Swiatek pulled ahead with back-to-back wins on Monday despite a rain delay as Wimbledon kicked off.

This is the third major tournament of the year, and Djokovic won the first two: the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June, reports the Associated Press.

That puts him halfway to the first men’s tennis major in the annual calendar since 1969. He came close to achieving the feat in 2021, falling just one win short when he lost in the US Open final.

He is seeking a fifth successive All-England Club title and eighth overall, both of which would equal the men’s records.

Djokovic’s title at Roland Garros was his 23rd at a Slam tournament, breaking a tie with Rafal Nadal for the men’s tag in that category.

Second seed Djokovic defeated Pedro Cashin 6-3 6-3 7-6 (4) after a rain relay that lasted more than an hour. Groundskeepers used a leaf blower to dry the grass.

The 36-year-old Serb used a towel to help dry some of the wet spots: “I usually go out with bats, not towels.”

Swiatek, who owns four major titles but has never made it past the fourth round at the All England Club, beat China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-3 on court one, and won the last two games after the roof closed thereafter. rain delay.

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