London: Defending champion Andy Murray celebrated the news that he’s about to become a father again by reaching the Wimbledon second round here Monday. Fellow two-time winner Rafael Nadal also achieved a milestone of sorts, by notching up his 850th career win on the ATP circuit.
Top seed and World No.1 Murray downed Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, shrugging off two brief rain delays and showing little sign of the hip problem which had plagued him in the build-up.
“I have felt okay the last few days and the adrenaline you feel by playing a match numbs any pain you may have,” said the British star. Murray next faces Dustin Brown, the man who knocked out Nadal two years ago. The German World No. 97 came back from a set and a break down to beat Portugal’s Joao Sousa 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4.
Fourth seed Nadal also did not have any problem in disposing of John Millman of Australia 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 while Kei Nishikori, the Japanese ninth seed, beat Italy’s Marco Cecchinato 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 in just 72 minutes. French 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, eased past British wild card Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to book a second round berth.
In women’s singles, second seed Simona Halep blasted off court in the French Open final by Jelena Ostapenko, defeated New Zealand qualifier Marina Erakovic 6-4, 6-1.
Venus Williams marked her 20th Wimbledon anniversary with a 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 win against Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Also winning on the day were two-time winner Petra Kvitova who walked to the court amidst thunderous applause and then easily disposed of Johanna Larsson of Sweden three and four. Madison Keys was another notable winner on the day with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.