Wimbledon Recap Day 4 & 5 Andy Murray farewell; Alcaraz survives Tiafoe test; Pegula bounced
It was two days of Wimbledon that was marred by rain, which will lead to a schedule jam to fit matches on indoor courts, but nevertheless the tournament was able to fit important matches, which included important consequences.
Men’s Singles (Thursday)
Andy Murray, in his final Wimbledon played his opening round doubles match with his brother Jamie before a sold out Center Court crowd.
The English crowd was left disappointed when the Australian doubles team of John Peers and Rinky Hijikata won (7-6(6)) (6-4). After the match, Andy was greeted for the on court interview by English tennis legend Sue Barker. A video tribute played with words from members of the “Big 3” Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. All three expressed the tenacity Murray brought every match. Murray emotionally amidst being serenaded by cheers from the Center Court crowd retraced his appreciation for the people that impacted his career, from his wife to his toughest opponents. Murray will still be playing in Wimbledon teamed up with female English sensation Emma Raducanu. Murray will play in the Olympics as his final career tournament where he has won gold twice.
Novak Djokovic before the Andy Murray farewell match was given all he could handle by Jacob Fearnley, prevailing in the fourth set after Brit staged a two set rally that fell short in the fourth.
The 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out of Wimbledon losing to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in four sets.
Hubert Hurkacz was forced to retire in his match against Arthur Fils in the fourth set tiebreaker when facing match point. The seventh seed considered by many to be the biggest threat to Novak Djokovic in his quarter of the draw opens the door for the 24 time major champion for number 25.
Top seeds Alex De Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune also advanced on Thursday.
Men’s Singles (Friday)
There were not many matches played today with rain affecting play, but some standards remained true.
Jannik Sinner won his third round match only dropping seven games and saving his only break point he faced in a cruising win.
Tommy Paul beat the always dangerous Alexander Bublik in three sets (6-3) (6-4) (6-2). Paul like the World No. 1 in Sinner faced and saved the only break point on his serve.
Grigor Dimitrov playing in back to back days, defeated Frenchman Gael Monfils in straight sets in a battle between two veterans.
The match of the day featured American Francis Tiafoe against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Tiafoe won two of the first three sets to be one set away from knocking off the champion. Tiafoe would force Alcaraz down 0-30 up 4-5, but the Spanish phenom rallied to hold serve.
Alcaraz would force a fourth set tiebreaker which he won handily and would dominate the fifth set to earn a hard fought five set win.
Women’s Singles (Thursday)
The lone main upset on Thursday saw Wang Xinyu upsetting the fifth seed Jessica Pegula winning 6-1 in the decisive third set. After winning a tight second set tiebreaker, Wang dominated play in the third set for the win.
Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Danielle Collins, and Elena Rybakina all advanced to the third round on Thursday.
Women’s Singles (Friday)
The United States’ Coco Gauff continued her rampage in Wimbledon defeating Britain’s Sonay Kartal (6-4) (6-0).
Brit favorite Emma Raducanu, beat Greece’s Maria Sakkari in a bludgeoning (6-3) (6-2)
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini beat former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in straight sets to advance to the fourth round.
Paola Badosa makes a return to the second week of a major with a three set win against Daria Kasatkina.
It was also a successful day for Americans Madison Keys and Emma Navarro who both advanced on day 5. Navarro will face fellow countrywoman Coco Gauff in a match of two of America’s finest.
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