American star Ben Shelton was ahead 85 in 5th set tiebreak vs Otto Virtanen, a seemingly insurmountable lead. Virtanen, a journeyman ranked outside the top 100, walloped a forehand that nipped the very back edge of the baseline. Instead of facing four match points, Virtanen turned the tables on Shelton and won 11-9. A cruel fate for world no. 5 Shelton who lost at Roland Garros in the second round to Raphael Collignon.
World no. 140 Otto, a former Orange Bowl winner: “I had a great month before this one. I played a lot of grass matches. Always enjoyed playing here. Last year I unfortunately missed it due to injury. But two years ago I had a great time here. You know, it feels so good to be back here.”
Patrick McEnroe was spotted eating candy in the Royal Box as Taylor Townsend battled Iga Swiatek for three sets. Remember years ago, it was McEnroe who said Townsend’s overweight issue was sabotaging her career and performance. Not long after that Townsend became an elite doubles player, world no. 1 and scored some impressive singles wins.
Louise Bagshawe: “Emma Radacanu obviously cannot cut it. She had one shining moment in time. Nothing since. It is cruel to the girl to keep looking at her like she can turn into Andy Murray. She can’t. Stop covering her like a contender, she isn’t one. She seems a nice girl and doesn’t deserve constant expectations she has no, zero, chance of fulfilling ever again.”
Katie Swan defeated Irina Begu 64 64 to reach the 2nd round, the first win of The Championships for a British player after eleven failures. GB is now 1-14 in first round matches.
Stefanos Tsitispas said he fired his dad Apostoulos before Wimbledon “for one last time.” Tsitsipas will play Djokovic in second round.
Cyndy · July 3, 2026 at 9:44 am
Hello to you Scoop Malinowski— with the a Wimbledon under way this week .. am currently watching the Djokovic/Rinderknech match…. And yes he
Is family is in the box unlike RG which you had mentioned about… hope Djokovic gets through this match as I see Rinder is playing well too… will read your articles in case I miss out .. bfn until the nt!