Mpetshi Perricard, Murray, Vondrousova… what to remember from the 3rd day

The master of the place

Although he lost in the final last season against Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic remains the boss of the Centre Court. The seven-time winner still had to reassure himself after a month of absence and his withdrawal before his quarter-final at Roland-Garros against Casper Ruud. And he reassured himself and assured without trembling against the 123^e world number two Vit Kopriva (6-1, 6-2, 6-2). The world number two seems to have recovered well from his meniscus surgery. The Briton Jacob Fearnley or the Spaniard Alejandro Moro Canas, his potential opponents in the second round, have been warned…

L’outsider

Unlucky finalist at Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev has green feet. The number 4 seed strolled against the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, 64^e world (6-2, 6-4, 6-2). The German particularly impressed on serve with 18 aces set 74% first serves. As in Paris, he could play the leading roles in London.

The blue performance

French giant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard claimed his first Grand Slam victory by defeating 20th seed Sebastian Korda (7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3) on Tuesday, during a fight that was interrupted several times by rain. Beaten in the 3^e qualifying round by the surprising Maxime Janvier, the lucky loser seized his chance perfectly. Emmanuel Planque’s student will face Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round.

The number 51

The 21-year-old Frenchman served no less than 51 aces with 84% of points won behind his firsts.

The other Blues

The first French player to start on Tuesday, Constant Lestienne did not disgrace himself but gave in to the 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti, recent finalist at Queen’s (4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2). Arthur Fils was convincing against Dominic Stricker (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4), as was Caroline Garcia in the women’s competition, who beat Anna Blinkova in two sets (6-4, 7-5).

Sensation

It’s already over for defending champion Marketa Vondrousova, swept away by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 83^e world (6-4, 6-2). The uninspired Czech left-hander committed 7 double faults and was broken five times by a player who was playing her first Grand Slam match on grass.

At the state

The last time a defending champion lost in the first round on the London grass was 30 years ago: in 1994. The three-time defending champion Steffi Graf surrendered to the American Lori McNeil.

Les outsiders

Surprise winner in 2022, Elena Rybakina did not hang around for her debut, leaving only four games to the Romanian Elean-Gabriel Ruse (6-3, 6-1). The 4^e world, disrupted in recent weeks by health problems, has reassured itself. A serious outsider, it will try to continue its rise in power on the 2^e round against the German Laura Siegemund. Another player to watch on the British grass, the American Jessica Pegula. The 5^e world champion outclassed her compatriot Ashlyn Krueger in 49 minutes (6-2, 6-0).

The belly

Things are not going well for Andrey Rublev, dominated by 122^e world champion Francisco Comesana (6–4, 5–7, 6–2, 7–6). Beaten in the second round at Roland-Garros by the Italian Arnaldi, the Russian followed up with a defeat in the 1^is tour against Giron in Halle. Quarter-finalist last year, he could drop out of the top 10 after the tournament…

The package

Having undergone back surgery after Queen’s, the local darling was due to take on Tomas Machac on Tuesday. He had kept the suspense alive about his participation, but he was clearly not ready for his last dance at home where he won two titles (2013 and 2016). He will, however, line up in the doubles with his brother Jamie.

The phrase

“I wanted to play this tournament one last time and I wanted to have the chance to go there, to walk alone on Centre Court and try my luck again. I’m sorry for everyone who came, who wanted to support me and watch me again. I also wanted to experience this moment, as much for myself as for the people who have supported me over the years. It’s unfortunate…”Andy Murray told the BBC.