Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek begin with wins on day 1

In the Wimbledon tennis championships, defending champion Novak Djokovic and women’s top seed Iga Swiatek started their campaigns with wins. However, Coco Gauff and Venus Williams were knocked out on the opening day yesterday.

Starting his quest for an eighth Wimbledon and 24th Grand Slam title, men’s world number two player Djokovic defeated 68th-ranked Pedro Cachin of Argentina, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6, (7/4). Now the Serb will play Australia’s Jordan Thompson, ranked 70th in the second round.

Fourth seed Jessica Pegula, three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, multiple Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka and Andrey Rublev were among the big names that advanced to the second round.

In women’s singles, seventh seed Gauff lost to fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina eliminated five-time Wimbledon winner Venus Williams to advance to the second round. Svitolina won the straight sets 6-4, 6-2 against Williams.

World number one Swiatek beat 34th-ranked Zhu Lin of China 6-1, 6-3.