Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the men's singles first round match over Kwon Soonwoo of South Korea at Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London, Britain, on June 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Novak Djokovic held off Kwon Soonwoo from South Korea 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the Wimbledon Championships.
LONDON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to see off opening-round opponent Kwon Soonwoo from South Korea 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Wimbledon Championships on Monday.
In the opening match on center court on the first competition day, the Serbian ace faced a strong challenge from world No. 81 Kwon.
Djokovic was broken first in the first set but managed to break twice later to take the first set. 24-year-old Kwon showed his quality in the baseline to win the second set, but the experienced 20-time Grand Slam champion was stable enough to go through the first round.
"I think it was a good win against a player who is very talented," said 35-year-old Djokovic, who is aiming at his seventh title at the Wimbledon Championships.
"He has a lot of quality from both forehand and backhand corner. I did not start or did not play at my best, but I think when I needed to find the right shots, I did. I think my serve got me out of trouble in some decisive moments. I know I can do better."
In the evening session, British star Andy Murray came from one set down to defeat Austrian James Duckworth 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
But last year's semifinalist Hubert Hurkacz from Poland suffered an early exit as the seventh seed was beaten by Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in five sets.
The women's singles third seed Ons Jabeur breezily past the first round by outplaying Mirjam Bjorklund from Sweden 6-1, 6-3.
U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu enjoyed her first center court experience at Wimbledon as the British teenager see off Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck in 6-4, 6-4.
"To play on Center Court and get a win the first time, it's amazing. Now every time I go back, I'm just going to have a great first experience. That always helps," said the 19-year-old who have been struggling since her astonishing victory in Flushing Meadows.
The women's singles world No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland will play against Croatian qualifier Jana Fett in Tuesday's first match on center court. ■
