Quiet like Gracheva
Like last year, when she played her very first Grand Slam tournament under her new French colours, Varvara Gracheva reached the second round at Wimbledon, logically losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She will do at least as well this year since she easily passed the first round on Monday, against Lesia Tsurenka (6-3, 6-1).
The player of Russian origin, the crowd’s favorite at Roland-Garros last month with her round of 16, nevertheless got off to a bad start to her match. But after being down 3-1, she quickly recovered before flying away, winning 11 of the last 12 games against a Tsurenka hampered by blisters on her hand and who quickly gave up. Gracheva will face another Ukrainian, Dayana Yastremska, seeded number 28, in the next round.
Van Assche, a little turn and then leaves
Lucky loser after being drafted from qualifying, Luca Van Assche did not take advantage of this second chance. The young Frenchman was copiously dominated by the veteran Fabio Fognini, 37 years old and with peroxide blonde hair. The Italian, involved, calm and serious, delivered a great match unlike Van Assche, in great difficulty, particularly in serving, like his eight double faults. A break (his only break point converted in 11 attempts) in the third set had given rise to a bit of hope but this was quickly dashed. Beaten 6-1, 6-3, 7-5, he almost didn’t exist. Fabio Fognini could now challenge Jannik Sinner in an all-Italian duel.
