Wimbledon 2016: Marcus Willis produces a shock as Novak Djokovic wins through
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Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached round two of Wimbledon as Great Britain’s world number 772 Marcus Willis stole the headlines on day one.
The qualifier stunned world number 54 Ricardas Berankis, earning £50,000 in the process having won £220 all year.
Willis, 25, faces seven-time champion Roger Federer, who beat Guido Pella.
Dan Evans overcame Jan-Lennard Struff in four sets and Britain is guaranteed three men in round two as Andy Murray faces Liam Broady on Tuesday.
British number one Johanna Konta is also in action on day two, when women’s top seed Serena Williams starts her defence of the title on Centre Court against Swiss Amra Sadikovic at 13:00 BST.
- Day Two: Order of play
Big names survive (so far)
American Kevin Anderson, seeded 20, and Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, seeded 21, were the best-ranked players to go out on day one.
Djokovic – seeking a calendar Grand Slam having already won the Australian and French Open titles this year – produced 21 unforced errors but was in no mood for an upset as he overcame Britain’s James Ward in straight sets on Centre Court.
The Serb has not lost at a Grand Slam since his defeat by Stan Wawrinka in last year’s French Open final, a run of 29 matches.
There were also wins for David Ferrer, Marin Cilic and David Goffin in Djokovic’s half of the draw, while sixth seed Milos Ranoic served 27 aces to advance in straight sets.
Fifth seed Kei Nishikori faced a 142mph serve – the fastest of day one – from Australian Sam Groth but won through 6-4 6-3 7-5.
Willis, meanwhile, becomes the lowest-ranked player to reach round two since 1998, courtesy of his 6-3 6-3 6-4 win. He took advantage of Berankis’ missed opportunities, as the Lithuanian converted just one of 20 break points.
Another Williams record
French Open champion Garbine Muguruza provided an early show of grit on day one as she faced a tough test against Italy’s Camila Giorgi before progressing 6-2 5-7 6-4.
The number two seed is in the same half of the draw as five-time champion Venus Williams, who equalled Amy Frazier’s record of appearing in 71 Grand Slams as she overcame Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets.
Williams, 36, has not won a Grand Slam singles title since 2008 – in which time her sister Serena has secured 13.
The 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic was the first notable scalp in the ladies’ draw, citing an injured wrist after defeat by 21-year-old qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova, who hit 19 winners.
Germany’s Sabine Lisicki, a finalist in 2013, blasted nine aces – including three in a 52-second opening game – to beat Poland’s Magda Linette.
British number ones enter the fray
Britain’s best ranked woman Konta arrives at SW19 as the 16th seed, having reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January.
Fresh from becoming the first British woman to reach the semi-finals of Eastbourne’s Aegon International since 1976, she faces Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, whose appearance in the last four at Eastbourne was her second grass-court semi-final of the summer.
On paper, Murray’s draw against the world number 235 looks more straightforward, although Broady has been seen hitting with high-profile names such as Raonic and the Canadian’s coach John McEnroe this week.
“It’s an opportunity for him to play on one of the biggest courts in the world with a huge audience and try to cause an upset,” said Murray, champion in 2013.
There will be added scrutiny of world number two Murray as he embarks on his first Grand Slam since reuniting with coach Ivan Lendl, who formed part of his camp when he won his two majors.
More British interest
In all there are seven British players in action on day two.
Wildcard Katie Swan, 17, will hope to upset Hungarian Timea Babos, Heather Watson takes on Germany’s Annika Beck, Tara Moore plays Belgian Alison van Uytvanck, and British men’s number two Aljaz Bedene faces French seventh seed Richard Gasquet.
Away from the home interest, Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka plays American 18-year-old Taylor Fritz, while Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios faces a fascinating contest against 37-year-old Czech Radek Stepanek.
In the women’s draw, third seed Agnieszka Radwanska plays Ukraine’s Kateryna Kozlova and two-time former champion Petra Kvitova faces Romanian Sorana Cirstea.