Rising stars Frances Tiafoe (Washington Kastles) and Taylor Fritz (San Diego Aviators) both prevailed in four sets on Tuesday at Wimbledon to advance in first-round action. The #WTTFamily posted an overall record of 6-3 on the day.
Tiafoe battled past 30th seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3 to win his opener for the second successive year. The American saved 13 of the 15 break points he faced and withstood 20 aces from Verdasco, eventually closing out the match in a nerve-wracking service game.
Fritz overcame a slow start to defeat Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, securing his first major match win outside of the United States. On Thursday, Fritz clashes with fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev.
Stephane Robert (Orange County Breakers) was also victorious, riding his momentum from the qualification stages to ease past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-1. The victory marked Robert‘s first in the main draw at the All England Club in five years.
In women‘s singles action, Naomi Osaka (Kastles) and Taylor Townsend (Philadelphia Freedoms) cruised through to the second round.
Osaka proved to be too much to handle for Monica Niculescu, as the WTT rookie advanced past the Romanian 6-4, 6-1. The 18th-seeded
Osaka won 81 percent of her first serve points in the 67-minute victory. Osaka, this year‘s Indian Wells champion, progressed to the third round in her London debut last year.
Townsend secured her first Wimbledon main draw win by brushing aside Pauline Parmentier 6-2, 6-4. The American shone through when she came forward, taking an impressive 21 of 22 points at net. Townsend looks to reach the third round when she faces Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Former finalist Eugenie Bouchard (New York Empire) rounded out the Day 2 winners, holding off wildcard Gabriella Taylor 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 in one hour and 37 minutes. A qualifier this year, Bouchard bids to maintain her form against 17th seed Ashleigh Barty in her next encounter.
#WTTFamily In Action On Day 3 ÔÇô July 4, 2018
No.1 Court
Venus Williams (Washington) ÔÇô first on
No.2 Court
Kevin Anderson (Philadelphia) ÔÇô third on
No.3 Court
Tatjana Maria (New York) ÔÇô fourth on
Court 12
Sam Querrey (Orange County) ÔÇô second on
John Isner (New York) ÔÇô third on
Court 6
Fabrice Martin (Philadelphia) and Purav Raja ÔÇô first on
Gabriela Dabrowski (Philadelphia) and Yifan Xu ÔÇô fourth on
Court 7
Nicole Melichar (Washington) and Kveta Peschke ÔÇô first on
Court 9
Naomi Broady (San Diego) and Asia Muhammad ÔÇô second on
Court 10
Robert Lindstedt (Washington) and Robin Haase ÔÇô first on
Court 11
Frances Tiafoe (Washington) and Jackson Withrow ÔÇô second on
Taylor Fritz (San Diego) and Matt Ebden ÔÇô third on
Court 15
Marcin Matkowski (San Diego) and Jonathan Erlich ÔÇô first on
Court 16
Neal Skupski (New York) and Ken Skupski ÔÇô first on
Court 17
Yanina Wickmayer (Orange County) ÔÇô first on
Madison Brengle (Washington) ÔÇô third on
To Be Arranged
Raquel Atawo (Philadelphia) and Anna-Lena Groenefeld (San Diego) ÔÇô not before 5pm
