Defending champion Sinner survives five-set scare

Defending Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner began his title defense with a dramatic five-set comeback victory over Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic. The world number one faced an almighty scare, recovering from a slow start and a mid-match wobble to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-3 win after three and a half tense hours.

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Sinner opted against contesting a grass tournament in the lead-up to Wimbledon, with this his first match since an extraordinary collapse against Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo, whom he had led by two sets and 5-1 at Roland Garros.

This match marked Sinner's first since a surprising second-round exit at the French Open, where he collapsed from a commanding lead. His durability was tested again on Centre Court, particularly after an awkward fall during the third set that drew gasps from the crowd and required attention from the umpire. Blood seeping from his shoe in the fourth set, later attributed to a problematic toenail, added to the drama.

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Having appeared to physically shut down in the stifling Paris heat that day, Sinner's durability was thoroughly tested by Kecmanovic, and he was fortunate to escape relatively unscathed after a moment of genuine concern on Centre Court.

Despite these challenges and an uncharacteristic 10 unforced errors in his opening eight games, Sinner managed to raise his level when it mattered most. He averted another early exit, a fate that befell only two previous defending Wimbledon men's champions. His victory improved his record in five-set matches, a statistic that has previously been a point of concern.

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There were gasps in the crowd when Sinner slipped behind the baseline during the third set and took time to return to his feet, with the umpire heading over to check on him.

With main rival Carlos Alcaraz absent due to injury, Sinner remains the strong title favorite. However, his first-round encounter highlighted that even the top seed can face significant challenges, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis. Kecmanovic, ranked 50th, pushed Sinner to the limit, seeking his first win over a top-10 opponent at a major.

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Blood was also seeping from the Italian's shoe during a must-win fourth set, which he later explained was caused by a problematic toenail.