By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Stan Wawrinka def Charles Broom [WC] 6-3 7-5 6-4
- Greet Minnen def Heather Watson [WC] 7-5 6-4
- Botic Van De Zandschulp def Liam Broady [WC] 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2
- Daniel Altmaier def Arthur Fery [WC] 4-6 7-6(6) 1-6 6-3 6-1
LONDON, ENGLAND – Charles Broom admitted he was ‘proud’ of his performance in his defeat to Stan Wawrinka meanwhile Heather Watson is looking forward to the Olympics.
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Stan Wawrinka def Charles Broom [WC] 6-3 7-5 6-4
It was a valiant Wimbledon debut for Charles Broom who had an experience of a lifetime in his straight sets defeat to Stan Wawrinka.
Broom played some aggressive tennis in the second set as he had a 5-2 lead as well as having four set points.
However Wawrinka came back as the former Grand Slam champion used his incredible backhand to win the second set 7-5 as well as taking a double break lead in the final set.
The British wildcard refused to give up as he narrowed the deficit in the third set to a single break and threatened multiple times to level the third set.
In the end Wawrinka showed his quality and class to seal his place in the second round and after the match Broom reflected on the second set as he was so close to winning a set over the former Grand Slam champion.
“I had those chances even on his serve. I think I hit a return that was probably a couple of inches wide. Felt pretty good off the racket, that’s for sure. I could feel the momentum starting to shift in the game at 5-3, and I knew that was an important one,” Broom explained.
“Played some good points. Just didn’t quite execute. To a certain extent, that’s probably my level, and just exposing myself to those important moments on a bigger stage I think, yeah, it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
“So, yeah, trying not to see it as losing, but learning. I think that’s the key point for me. Just use all the experience I’ve gained from playing him and on that court in front of a British crowd. So, yeah, try and basically use it for next year and beyond.”
Despite the result, it was an incredible experience for Broom who admitted he feels a sense of pride in the midst of the disappointment and talked about playing in front of his home crowd.
“Just certainly a little bit disappointed, but honestly just immense sense of pride to be able to play here and pushed him pretty close,” Broom stated in his press conference.
“I think I had a fair few chances in that second set. And even losing the third I felt like I was coming back in the middle a little bit. Probably just a little too late. But, no, overall just proud to have played and fought the way I did. Yeah, hopefully it won’t be my last time here.
“Absolutely. It was an amazing experience above all else. Certainly I’ve played in front of big crowds, but that’s probably the biggest. Yeah, will look forward to doing that more as hopefully my career progresses. As I say, try not to view it as losing, but learning.”
Broom will not look forward to competing in the doubles events before returning to the singles court at the ATP 250 event in Newport.
Greet Minnen def Heather Watson [WC] 7-5 6-4
Another year and another first round exit for Heather Watson at Wimbledon as the world number 199 lost a topsy-turvy straight sets match to doubles partner Greet Minnen.
It was a typical match of Watson at Wimbledon as there were three breaks of serve in the first five games as Minnen took a 4-1 lead.
There was gradual hope that Watson would grow into the match as she narrowed the deficit to 4-3 and would break again to have the opportunity to serve for the set at 5-4.
However when it really mattered Watson’s serve let her down as she was broken to love as the Brit went on to lose the opening set 7-5.
In the second set, Watson was the more solid player on return as she created bursts of momentum on return.
Once again though, Watson’s game went missing when it really mattered as she was broken in the tenth game to exit Wimbledon at the first round stage.
Speaking after the match Watson praised Minnen’s aggressive play but admitted her serve was not up to scratch in a frustrating contest.
“I felt like Greet started the match very hot. She was playing super aggressive. She didn’t really allow me a chance to get in and get any rhythm,” Watson said of the Belgian.
“I felt like I really suffered on my serve today. I felt like I didn’t serve well at all. Usually it’s something I can really rely on and I get a few free points, especially on the grass. So, yeah, just with that. I thought Greet played well. Even still I felt like I had my chances, especially in that first set. But it just wasn’t meant to be today.”
It’s Watson’s third first round defeat in the last four years as she will feel this is a golden opportunity missed.
Watson will now look ahead to doubles not only at Wimbledon with Minnen but also at the Olympics where she will be playing alongside Katie Boulter.
The 32 year-old spoke about the pride of representing Great Britain once again when she competes in Paris.
“I’m so happy. This will be my fourth Olympic Games,” Watson said in her press conference.
“Was a huge goal of mine this last year. Very special to share it with Katie, play doubles with her there. We get along super well. Yeah, just lap it all up, take in the experience. So far nothing has beat London 2012. Yeah, hopefully this is a good one.”
The Olympics will begin on the 27th July and will take place at Roland Garros.
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Botic Van De Zandschulp def Liam Broady [WC] 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2
There was no Wimbledon heroics from Liam Broady this year as he was beaten in four sets by Botic Van De Zandschulp.
The Brit got off to a poor start but rallied back into the match in the second set as he aimed to use the crowd in order to produce a comeback victory.
That never materialised though as Broady was unable to repeat his run to the third round from last year.
However, as revealed after the match by Broady it was good to see the Brit on court as he has been suffering from migraines since banging his head on a car boot in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
“I think I was, even up until today, I wasn’t going to step on the court unless I was sure that I was going to be able to give my best. Even this morning I was kind of thinking, you start to psych yourself out, but I wasn’t too sure how my head was going to feel today,” Broady explained in his press conference.
“It was good enough. Like I said, I guess nothing’s got worse, and it’s great to have got almost three hours of one of the better players on the planet and play a match against them. I’m good because obviously I had a third round to defend as well, so it’s a lot of points for me, especially with my ranking sliding the wrong way at the moment due to my inactivity. Yeah, just have to take the positives.
“This morning I think that was just after breakfast, I have found that with my migraines my eyes go a little funny, and they went a little bit funny this morning. After an hour or two, it kind of went away I guess. As the day wore on, I wanted to see how I practiced, which I guess has happened to a few players in the draw today.”
Wimbledon was only Broady’s second tournament in the last three months as he has failed to remain consistently fit this season.
Although that has been frustrating for Broady, the wildcard is looking at the positives of competing at Wimbledon this year.
“I guess the biggest positive is I got through a pretty competitive 2 hour 40 match without picking up any more injuries,” Broady explained.
“So to just have come out of it and not end up worse off than when I started is the most important thing. I’m hoping to get over to the States as soon as possible for the U.S. hard court swing because I’m as fresh as anyone at the moment.”
Daniel Altmaier def Arthur Fery [WC] 4-6 7-6(6) 1-6 6-3 6-1
The final Brit to lose on day one was Arthur Fery as he lost in a heart-breaking five setter to German Daniel Altmaier.
The Brit produced some sensational tennis in the first three sets as he took a two set to one lead over Altmaier.
Fery’s lack of experience at Grand Slam level was telling though as he ran out of steam, comfortably losing the last two sets.
After his defeat Fery admitted it’s an area that he needs to get better at if he wants to enter these events regularly by using his own ranking.
“Yeah, I’m just not used to playing these long matches,” Fery said in his press conference.
“Yeah, a few niggles here and there, but nothing major. Yeah, I’m just trying to give myself some time to rest and recover in between games. Yeah, obviously long matches like that, almost four hours, yeah, you have to kind of play it tactically as well.
“I want to be playing these tournaments regularly, earn my ranking without the need of a wild card. I think, yeah, I won’t really know until I play another five-set match. But look, I try to take the best out of all the matches that I play, whether it be on challengers or in three sets or five sets.
“So, yeah, in this particular match, it will be kind of knowing that I can stay out on court for four, four and a half, six hours if needed and be fine physically and be fine the next day to play again. Yeah, I mean, that’s the big elephant in the room today.”
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