The second day of Wimbledon brought mixed fortunes for Russian tennis players, with several unexpected outcomes. Andrei Rublev, one of the top Russian players, was surprisingly defeated in the first round by Francisco Comesaña, ranked 122nd in the world. This match marked the Argentine's Grand Slam debut and only his second career game on grass. Despite his lack of experience, Comesaña played exceptionally well, capitalizing on Rublev's poor first serve percentage and emotional instability.
Shamil Tarpishchev had previously mentioned that Rublev was not in optimal shape for Wimbledon and had even advised him to withdraw for medical reasons. Rublev's performance confirmed these concerns as he struggled with his serve and succumbed to psychological pressure, ultimately losing in four sets. His emotional outbursts, including smashing his knee with a racket, further highlighted his unsettled state.
In contrast, Anna Kalinskaya had a strong start, defeating qualifier Panna Udvardi in straight sets. Kalinskaya served confidently and did not allow her opponent to win a single game on reception. Her aggressive play earned her 21 points, and she will face Marie Bouzkova in the next round.
Elina Avanesyan also advanced to the second round with a comfortable win over Angelina Kalinina, who made numerous unforced errors. Avanesyan will now face her compatriot Lyudmila Samsonova, who had to work hard to secure her spot in the second round against Spaniard Rebeka Masarova.
Anastasia Potapova, however, could not maintain her lead against Bernarda Pera, losing in a super tiebreaker after a rollercoaster match. Anna Blinkova was also eliminated, losing to the 23rd seed, Caroline Garcia.
Roman Safiullin's match against Francisco Serundolo was interrupted due to darkness after an impressive comeback from Safiullin, who fought back from 0-2 in sets. The match will resume the next day. Other Russian players, including Karen Khachanov, Aslan Karatsev, and Veronika Kudermetova, had their matches postponed to Wednesday.
Meanwhile, world number one Carlos Alcaraz had a challenging start against Mark Lajal, ranked 269th. Despite initial nerves and losing the first set in a tie-break, Alcaraz eventually found his rhythm and won the match in three sets. He will face either Sebastian Ofner or Aleksandar Vukic in the second round.
- Andrei Rublev's unexpected early exit from Wimbledon has raised questions about his preparation and mental resilience. His coach, Viktor Yanchuk, noted that the psychological pressure and a worthy opponent contributed to Rublev's downfall.
- Anna Kalinskaya's dominant performance in her opening match demonstrated her potential to go far in the tournament. Her aggressive play and confident serving will be crucial as she faces tougher opponents in the coming rounds.
- Elina Avanesyan's victory was marked by her opponent's numerous unforced errors, allowing her to advance with relatively little effort. Her next match against Lyudmila Samsonova will be a test of her consistency and skill.
- Anastasia Potapova's match against Bernarda Pera showcased the unpredictable nature of women's tennis, with both players exchanging breaks and momentum shifts. Potapova's inability to close out the match highlighted the importance of mental toughness in high-pressure situations.
- Carlos Alcaraz's initial struggles against Mark Lajal were a reminder that even top players can face challenges in the early rounds. His ability to adapt and overcome his nerves will be vital as he progresses further in the tournament.
