The highly anticipated Wimbledon 2023 tournament is in full swing, and defending champion Elena Rybakina managed to avoid an early exit as she faced off against American player Shelby Rogers. The Kazakh tennis star, whose title defense got off to a shaky start with a double fault, eventually secured a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Rybakina attributed her initial nervousness to the pressure of being the reigning champion and the presence of legendary eight-time men’s winner Roger Federer in the Royal Box. However, other top players had a smoother start to the tournament, including last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur and second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who both cruised through their respective matches with straight-set wins.
Rybakina’s triumph in the first round ensured that she did not join the ranks of women’s defending champions who suffered early elimination since 1994. Nearly three decades ago, Steffi Graf, a former champion, was defeated by American player Lori McNeil at the same stage. Despite a tumultuous opening set, Rybakina displayed remarkable resilience, holding on to her crown a little longer with the support of the Centre Court’s Royal Box, where Federer and the Princess of Wales were in attendance.
Expressing her admiration for Roger Federer, Rybakina shared, “Maybe that’s why I was nervous because actually I really like Roger. When I was younger, I was always watching him play.”
Prior to the tournament, Rybakina faced health challenges that impacted her preparation for the grass-court Grand Slam. Consequently, she experienced a shaky start, dropping serve in the opening game and committing two double faults in her first two service games. Despite the setback, Rybakina regained control in a stunning shift of momentum. She dominated the second set, unleashing five aces and completing it in just 29 minutes, even as rain poured down on the closed roof of the court.
In the decisive third set, Rybakina broke Rogers’ serve in the opening game with the assistance of Hawk-Eye, which confirmed an initially disputed forehand as an inbounds shot. The Kazakh player maintained her advantage and sealed the victory when her opponent, ranked 49th in the world, failed to return a shot, causing it to hit the net.
Reflecting on her Wimbledon journey, Rybakina acknowledged the adjustment she needed to make to return to the stage where she claimed her first Grand Slam title. She remarked, “The double fault said it all at the beginning of the match. This is unusual for me. Here it’s different. Straightaway you go to this big court. I think for me it’s now a new chapter, and this is something I need to get used to and try to maintain my level.”
In the upcoming second round, Rybakina will face either France’s Alize Cornet or Japan’s Nao Hibino, as she strives to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to successfully defend the women’s singles title at Wimbledon.
In another match, Ons Jabeur, who narrowly missed out on the title last year, began her campaign with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory over Poland’s Magdalena Frech. Despite struggling with a calf injury during the season, the sixth-seeded Tunisian showcased her skills on Court One, employing her signature trick shots to entertain the crowd. Jabeur even jokingly compared herself to Cristiano Ronaldo, sharing, “I played a lot of football when I grew up on grass, not tennis. I love football so much, so maybe that’s why I pretend I am Ronaldo playing here. I like to joke around, I hate routine, doing those shots doesn’t go to the basic forehand or backhand. I like to entertain the crowd, so hopefully I did that.”
Also returning to Wimbledon after a year’s absence due to the ban on players from Belarus and Russia, second seed Aryna Sabalenka put on a dominant display on Centre Court. Known for her powerful shots and accurate serving, the Belarusian player claimed a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, ranked 82nd in the world. Sabalenka’s performance further solidified her status as one of the tournament favorites, with many expecting her to make a strong championship run. Expressing her delight at being back at Wimbledon, Sabalenka said, “I feel great. I’m feeling good, it’s really good being one of the favorites in this beautiful tournament. I didn’t realize how much I missed this place until this match – I think that’s why I played my best tennis today.”
As the Wimbledon 2023 tournament progresses, fans can stay updated with live scores, results, and the order of play through various coverage options provided by the BBC, including TV, iPlayer, online platforms, and radio. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can receive alerts with the latest news directly on their mobile devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wimbledon 2023 results
Q: When did the Wimbledon 2023 tournament take place?
A: The Wimbledon 2023 tournament took place from 3rd to 16th July.
Q: Who won the match between Elena Rybakina and Shelby Rogers?
A: Elena Rybakina won the match against Shelby Rogers.
Q: Did Elena Rybakina face any difficulties in the match?
A: Yes, Elena Rybakina had a nervous start but managed to recover and secure the victory.
Q: Who were the other notable players mentioned in the text?
A: Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka were the other notable players mentioned in the text. Jabeur won her match with a straight-sets victory, while Sabalenka also had a dominant performance, winning her match comfortably.
Q: Did Elena Rybakina avoid being eliminated in the first round?
A: Yes, Elena Rybakina’s win ensured she avoided becoming the first women’s defending champion since 1994 to lose at that stage.
Q: Who were the tennis legends present in the Royal Box?
A: Roger Federer, an eight-time men’s winner at Wimbledon, was present in the Royal Box during Elena Rybakina’s match.
Q: When was the last time a defending women’s champion lost in the first round?
A: The last time a defending women’s champion lost in the first round was in 1994 when Steffi Graf was defeated by Lori McNeil.
Q: Who will Elena Rybakina face in the second round?
A: Elena Rybakina will face either Alize Cornet from France or Nao Hibino from Japan in the second round.
Q: Who is the reigning women’s singles champion at Wimbledon?
A: Serena Williams is the reigning women’s singles champion at Wimbledon, having won the title in 2016.
More about Wimbledon 2023 results
- Wimbledon Official Website
- BBC Wimbledon Coverage
- Elena Rybakina Profile on WTA Website
- Shelby Rogers Profile on WTA Website
- Ons Jabeur Profile on WTA Website
- Aryna Sabalenka Profile on WTA Website
- Roger Federer Profile on ATP Website
- Steffi Graf Profile on WTA Website
- Serena Williams Profile on WTA Website
3 comments
elena rybakina is on fire! she was so nervus at the start but then she turned it around. and how cool is it to have roger federer watchin?! #Wimbledon2023 #Rybakina #Federer
wow! wimbledon 2023 sounds super exciting. Elena Rybakina did gr8 to avoid the upset. jabeur and sabalenka were also amazin. can’t wait to see who wins it all! #Wimbledon #tennislove
wimbledon is always so thrilling! rybakina’s nerves were on display but she fought back like a champ. jabeur with her trick shots and sabalenka’s power play were fantastic. let the games continue! #Wimbledon2023 #tennisexcitement