Sinner survives, while Britons make early exit

JANNIK Sinner dug deep to snap his five-set losing streak and begin the defence of his Wimbledon title with victory over Miomir Kecmanovic.

- GEORGE SESSIONS & ANDY SIMS

The 2025 champion in SW19 had not played competitively since a shock second-round loss at the French Open last month and looked in trouble on day one against inspired Serbian rival Kecmanovic, especially after a painful slip in set three on Centre Court.

Sinner battled on despite blood being visible through his right Nike trainer and banished the painful memories of five-set defeats to Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Novak Djokovic at majors earlier this year to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6-8) 6-2, 6-3.

Victory in three hours, 30 minutes will answer some questions of Sinner's durability after he had lost eight of his previous nine five-set matches, including five in a row before this nervy win.

“I was a little tight at the start, I didn’t play my very best, but I tried to get into it and it was my first official match on grass. I am very happy and a big honour to play in front of you,” Sinner said.