India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening T20I of the five-match series against England at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street. The visitors have made one notable change from the squad that toured Ireland, with Varun Chakaravarthy returning after recovering from a foot injury. Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, will have to wait for his international debut as India opted for an experienced playing XI featuring three specialist spinners.Speaking after the toss, Iyer said the team had moved on from the disappointing Ireland series and was eager to make a fresh start.Shreyas Iyer (India captain): “We’ll bat first. It’s a great opportunity for us. My second series as a captain, pretty much excited. Got what we wanted and had a practice session yesterday to acclimatize. The Ireland series is history. There’s a decent amount of grass on the wicket, so it’s difficult to predict how it’ll play, but our intent will remain high. We’re going with three spinners.”England captain Harry Brook admitted he would have preferred to bowl first but expressed confidence in his side’s balanced lineup.Harry Brook (England captain): “We would’ve bowled first, but we’re happy with the way things have gone. It looks like a good wicket. The mood in the camp is really good and we’re excited to get the series underway. We’ve got plenty of experienced players like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Sam Curran, who I can always lean on.”England have rested Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue after their recent involvement in the Trent Bridge Test, paving the way for Luke Wood and Saqib Mahmood to feature in the series opener.
Playing XIs
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field before kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium, on Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Flores prepared his defense for a pivotal NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers, continuing to shape one of the league’s most aggressive and disciplined units. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Getty Images.
If you believe Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is one of the top defensive coaches in football, you are not alone. NFL writer Daniel Rios ranked all playcallers on defense this week, and unsurprisingly, Flores got his flowers.
Rankings for defensive coaches are rare, but this go-around, Flores checked in at No. 4.
Vikings Defense Keeps Its Loudest Advantage
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addresses reporters at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, on Oct. 16, 2024, discussing defensive adjustments, accountability, and the continued growth of Minnesota’s scheme as the Vikings navigated the middle portion of their regular-season schedule under Kevin O’Connell’s staff with postseason goals still clearly in view. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Flores grabbed No. 4 on Rios’s list, and he explained the placement: “Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has completely transformed the team’s defensive identity since arriving. His aggressive approach forces offenses to play on his terms, using pressure packages and constantly changing looks to keep quarterbacks uncomfortable.”
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“Few coordinators disguise pressure as effectively as Flores. His defenses often show six or seven potential rushers before dropping multiple defenders into coverage, creating hesitation and forcing quarterbacks into rushed decisions.”
Flores basically has a 100% approval rating among fans.
“Flores deserves credit for maximizing his personnel. Minnesota doesn’t always feature the league’s most talented defense, but its scheme consistently elevates players by putting them in a position to succeed,” Rios continued.
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“The aggressiveness occasionally leaves his defenders vulnerable to explosive plays, but the overall results speak for themselves. Week after week, Flores creates game plans that completely alter how opposing offenses operate, cementing himself among the league’s elite playcallers.”
Deservedly So
The ranking won’t get any shade from any reasonable people, and if anything, it could be too low.
Since Flores took over the Vikings’ defense, it has fundamentally changed for the better. Here’s the money stat to know:
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Vikings Defense, per EPA/Play, NFL Ranking:
The 3 Years before Brian Flores: 20th The 3 Years with Brian Flores: 2nd
Only the Cleveland Browns have a better defense since 2023, mainly because former Brown Myles Garrett is such a tyrant. Minnesota’s 2022 campaign was undone by a strangely poor defense, marshaled by Ed Donatell, but it put its foot down during the 2023 offseason and onboarded Flores. Since then, defense has become the team’s calling card, a sweet perk for a team with an offense-first head coach in Kevin O’Connell.
He’ll Have an Offense Next to Him in 2026
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Suddenly, the Vikings can be a serious team again. The offense might be back. In 2025, Minnesota finished with a 9-8 record despite showcasing the NFL’s fifth-least-efficient quarterback play, courtesy of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Kyler Murray in March for $1.3 million, and he has the chance and the physical tools to unlock an offense that floundered last season and prevented a playoff berth. The Vikings were also a win away from taking the NFC North. That’s in play again with Murray in the house.
New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sep. 11, 2016, as New England’s defense worked through a narrow road matchup that ended with the Patriots defeating Arizona 23-21 under prime-time conditions in the 2016 opener. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Minnesota will also showcase these weapons, an upgrade from last year due to the Jennings free-agent addition:
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jauan Jennings
T.J. Hockenson
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
That revised group of playmakers could feast in 2026 if Murray lives up to his first overall draft stock in 2019. Flores’s defense won’t be asked to do it all — like last year.
Who’s the Best?
The league’s best defensive mind? Rios capitalized on Seattle Seahawks’ skipper Mike Macdonald’s Super Bowl triumph, naming him the top dog.
He wrote, “It’s hard not to have Mike Macdonald in the top spot after what he did last season with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s quickly become the NFL’s premier defensive playcaller after leading dominant defenses in Baltimore and Seattle.”
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“He’s established himself as the coach every franchise hopes to find when building a championship defense. Macdonald’s greatest strength is unpredictability. His defense rarely shows quarterbacks the same picture before and after the snap, using disguised coverages, simulated pressures and changing personnel groupings to create confusion. Unlike aggressive coordinators, Macdonald generates pressure without relying on a ton of blitzes.”
Former Vikings Sam Darnold received much of the credit for the Seahawks’ unforeseen Super Bowl sprint, but the defense really did most of the heavy lifting.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during NFC wild card action at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 13, 2025, studying coverages, personnel groupings, and situational tendencies while managing defensive calls in a high-pressure postseason road environment against the Los Angeles Rams that night. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Rios added, “He uses creative fronts and pressure packages to create one-on-one opportunities for pass rushers while keeping seven defenders available in coverage. What may be even more impressive is his adaptability.”
“Whether facing a run-heavy offense or an elite passing attack, Macdonald consistently adjusts his scheme to eliminate the opponent’s biggest strength. Combined with elite player development and good in-game adjustments, he enters the 2026 season as the NFL’s best defensive playcaller.”
Vic Fangio of the Philadelphia Eagles and Steve Spagnuolo from the Kansas City Chiefs checked in at No. 2 and 3, respectively.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory against McCartney Kessler of the United States in their second round women’s singles match, at Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
LONDON–World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled through a tough second set against American McCartney Kessler to reach the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has reached 14 successive major quarter-finals, won 6-1, 7-6 (11/9) on Court One to secure a last-32 meeting with former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.
“That was a true battle and I’m super happy that I was able to stay in that second set to get into that tie-break,” said Sabalenka.
“She really tested me and I’m super happy to pass the test.”
Sabalenka has never won Wimbledon, losing in the semi-finals on each of her past three visits.
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Kessler missed two set points when serving for the second set at 5-3 ahead, before Sabalenka fought back and took a tie-break, in which her 57th-ranked opponent saw another two set points come and go.
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With the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles now in his possession, it appears that ‘Boots’ will either look to go in search of the other belts at 154lbs, or turn his attention to a long-awaited showdown with fellow unbeaten star Vergil Ortiz.
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Ortiz is promoted by De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, but there have been legal issues in recent months that contributed to the clash between ‘Boots’ and Ortiz never coming to fruition.
It has been reported recently that those issues could be on the brink of getting resolved, with Ortiz said to be nearing a return to the ring.
With that in mind, De La Hoya has posted on social media praising Ennis for the performance against Zayas, before stating his desire to make ‘the biggest fight in boxing’ against Ortiz.
“Boots Ennis, what a great fight, you are a machine. Zayas a little inexperienced, but you will be back, you’re a great fighter. Let’s make the biggest fight in boxing today. Vergil Ortiz, Boots Ennis, let’s go.”
Chelsea ace Cole Palmer has vowed to deliver an improved performance for the club in the 2026-27 season following his FIFA World Cup snub. The England international was overlooked for the Three Lions squad to the Mundial after failing to impress for much of the campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer posted a video of himself in training ahead of the commencement of pre-season, and he got a comment from a fan, hoping to see him back to his best. The midfielder responded with his usual assuredness, promising the fan that he will be back to his best for the new season.
Thanks for the submission!
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“@dutchieroberts we will be there”, he commented.
Cole Palmer failed to make Thomas Tuchel‘s FIFA World Cup squad after an injury-hit below par campaign for Chelsea. The 24-year-old managed ten goals in 26 league appearances, with his tenth and final goal coming on the final day of the season. The Blues finished a disappointing tenth in the league following a collapse in the second half of the campaign.
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Palmer delivered moments of brilliance, such as when he scored a hat-trick against Wolves in February, but he failed to perform consistently. Tuchel’s snub has enabled the talented midfielder to get a rare summer off for the first time in four years.
Cole Palmer promises a fresh start under Xabi Alonso and with his injury problems firmly behind him. The number ten for Chelsea helped the club to win two titles in the 2024-25 season, and will look to reach those levels in the new campaign, once more.
Chelsea set date for pre-season resumption for non-FIFA World Cup players
Chelsea have announced the date for their players to resume pre-season training ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Blues are set to launch a new era under the management of Xabi Alonso, who joined as a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after just 104 days in charge.
The Blues will have their players back on Thursday, July 9, for the commencement of pre-season under Alonso. This does not include their players who are at the FIFA World Cup with their various teams, as well as those who have been eliminated from the competition.
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Chelsea have a light FIFA World Cup contingent, with the likes of Jorrel Hato and Moises Caicedo already eliminated and Reece James injured. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson are all expected back a bit later following the tournament.
Alonso will enjoy the benefit of working with most of the squad from the start of pre-season, an opportunity that they were not afforded last summer. The players will proceed on a tour of Asia after a period of training in the club’s own training ground.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 30: Amanda Anisimova of United States acknowledges the crowd after victory against Lina Gjorcheska of North Macedonia during their Ladies’ Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Amanda Anisimova is back at Wimbledon with a win and plenty of good memories.
Last year’s finalist opened her campaign with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over Tereza Gjorgcheska, marking a positive return after an injury-hit start to the season.
The American admitted it felt special to step onto the Wimbledon grass again after everything she has dealt with over the past few months.
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Asked how it felt to be back, Anisimova smiled before saying:
“Yeah, I’m trying. I’m trying. It feels amazing.”
She explained that returning to the All England Club immediately brought back memories of her run to last year’s final.
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“The second I got here I was flooded with great memories. I’m just trying to carry those vibes I had last year to keep me going here.”
After struggling with injuries and limited playing time this season, the victory was an encouraging way to begin her Wimbledon campaign.
Anisimova said she wants to enjoy every moment at this year’s tournament.
“Looking forward to playing. Gonna try and enjoy each day out here. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
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The win sends the American into the second round, where she will hope last year’s Wimbledon memories can inspire another good run.
Supporters at a fan zone were visibly annoyed as players took a short break during the first half of the match
England fans were heard booing during one of the early hydration breaks in the first half of the World Cup match between DR Congo on Wednesday (July 1).
Fans gathered together at a fan zone at Depot Mayfield to watch the knockout match. The team were 0-1 against Congo at half time, but one thing left fans of the Three Lions annoyed.
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During the first half of the match, players broke for a short water break, as they have been doing throughout the World Cup.
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Fans were said to be ‘booing’ and ‘a bit annoyed’ over the break, which lasted for around three minutes. Time was then added on.
Videos posted on X showed large groups of supporters booing after the break was announced, which have already drawn much criticism during this World Cup season.
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The tournament, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, has seen the introduction of ‘hydration breaks’ roughly halfway through each half of the game.
These have been introduced due to the anticipated high temperatures at some stadiums, however they are taking place in every match.
Fans also took to X on Wednesday afternoon to share their frustration. “Two most annoying words in this tournament. HYDRATION BREAK,” one fan posted.
“I’m going to need a much longer hydration break to get through this England match!!,” another quipped, as a third posted: “these hydration break s*** is so stupid.”
The countdown to the 2026 T-Mobile MLB Home Run Derby is on. The annual showcase of the game’s top sluggers will take place on Monday, July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The full list of competitors is still being finalized, so check back as more names are confirmed.
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RELATED: Watch the first round of the MLB Draft and the 2026 MLB Futures game on NBC and Peacock!
Caminero is back to avenge last year’s loss to Cal Raleigh in the finals. The 22-year-old became the first confirmed competitor after making an announcement on his Instagram account. After exploding for 45 home runs in 2025, the 22-year-old continues to establish himself as one of the game’s elite power bats. Entering Wednesday’s action, he has homered in five straight games. Caminero is a big reason why the Rays own the best record in the American League.
2026 MLB Home Run Derby Rules
This year’s Home Run Derby comes with some new wrinkles, as MLB has done away with the timer that has been used since 2015. Instead, the competition will go back to a swing-based format.
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Here’s what to know:
Note: If a hitter homers on their final swing, they can continue to swing until they don’t homer.
One thing that isn’t changingThere is no bracket for the first round, as all eight hitters will compete within a single pool. The top four home run hitters will advance to the second round and seeding will be based on how many home runs were hit in the first round, with distance serving as the tiebreaker. In the second and third rounds, ties would be decided by three-swing swing-offs.
Matt Cardona knows a thing or two about the independent pro wrestling scene.
After his release from WWE in April 2020, Cardona rebranded himself as the “Indy God” after spending years as Zack Ryder. He spent years cultivating his new look through several independent promotions and top companies in the U.S. whose names aren’t WWE or AEW.
Matt Cardona enters the arena before competing against Trick Williams (not pictured) during SmackDown at SAP Center on April 10, 2026, in San Jose, California.(Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
There are several pro wrestlers on the indies currently who are finding success with their own branding and marketing as well. Cardona named a few in a recent interview with Fox News Digital when asked who he thought was the new “Indy God.”
“Who’s the ‘Indy God?’ Oh, I don’t know if anyone’s the ‘Indy God.’ But there are people who definitely have stepped up. For instance, Shotzi, who was in WWE at one time. When she left, I think she copied the Matt Cardona formula and good on her and we had some incredible matches together. She’s somebody who cares. I think effort is very, very important not just in independent wrestling but professional wrestling in general. If you aren’t doing whatever you can to succeed, like, if you don’t treat yourself like a big deal, I don’t think anyone else will. I would definitely put Shotzi on that list.
“Two others to look out for on the independents – Richard Holliday. He’s another one who is always on social media. He’s always trying to force himself down your throat just like I did when I was gone. When you’re not in WWE, you can’t take a day off of being on your phone. Like, Chelsea (Green), would always yell at me for always being on my phone, ‘You’re posting too much on social media.’ I said, babe, if you don’t want to be on your phone, WWE will post about you, WWE Shop will post about you, USA Network will post about you, ESPN, Netflix. If I don’t post about myself, no one is going to post about me. So, Richard Holliday, he’s taking that to heart.
Ben Bishop hypes up Richard Holliday at Awesome Championship Wrestling.(Jay Vogel)
Ben Bishop offers support to Richard Holliday at Awesome Championship Wrestling.(Jay Vogel)
Cardona shared some advice to those who were trying to follow his path.
“It’s funny because guys and girls in the independents, they’d always ask me for advice. The answer was simple – don’t quit,” he said. “Everyone has a different path. Everybody has a different journey but if you don’t quit… here’s what I would say, if you don’t quit, you might make it. If you quit, you definitely won’t. It’s as simple as that.”
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
WWE has chosen to censor Bron Breakker. One of the company’s brightest young stars, Breakker was involved in a high-profile match against Seth Rollins at Night of Champions last weekend.
After winning one match each, the two stars settled their feud inside a Steel Cage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The match was physical and brutal from the start. Weapons were used, and the cage itself became a punishment for both men.
Thanks for the submission!
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At the end, an Avalanche Curb Stomp finally allowed Rollins to put away his former Vision stablemate. The effects of the match were evident for two stars. The Visionary was barely able to walk away victorious while Breakker was left with a bloody face.
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One of the most brutal spots of the match saw Rollins superplex his opponent from the top of the cage through a table. The landing hurt Breakker badly, and he was seen bleeding from a cut close to his eye.
The blood did cover a part of his face as the match went on. Now, during the replay of the premium live event on Netflix, the streaming giant has chosen to blur out Breakker’s bloodied face.
WWE usually turns such footage black and white whenever there is blood involved. But this time they went one step ahead and completely censored Breakker’s entire face and head.
The match was expected to be violent, given the animosity between Bron Breakker and Rollins. Breakker was the one who kicked The Architect out of The Vision and then cost him the match against Gunther at WrestleMania 42.
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The former Intercontinental champion picked up a win over Rollins at Backlash, but The Visionary avenged the loss with a victory on RAW over his former stablemate.
Bron Breakker allegedly in WWE’s doghouse
With Bron Breakker viewed as a big part of WWE’s future, his loss to Seth Rollins took many people by surprise.
Speaking on the Coach & Bro podcast, former WWE writer Vince Russo also slammed the decision.
Russo said this loss tells him that Breakker is in WWE’s doghouse since he lost cleanly in the blowoff match of his feud. He questioned the decision-making behind such an outcome.
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LONDON — Coco Gauff came from a break down in the third set and then won the last six points of the tiebreaker to beat Solana Sierra 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7) on Wednesday to reach the third round at Wimbledon.
Gauff was two points away from losing the match when Sierra served at 5-4 in the third set but won three straight points to break back. In the 10-point tiebreaker, she trailed 7-4 but didn’t lose another point, sealing the win with an ace and then screaming out loud with both fists clenched.
“When she had to serve for the match I just reminded myself that I’m a great returner as well,” Gauff said. “I was just trying to be positive and I think that showed.”
Gauff had her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019 when she reached the fourth round as a 15-year-old, beating Venus Williams in the first round. But while she has won both the U.S. Open and the French Open since then, she has yet to make the quarterfinals at the All England Club despite two more trips to the fourth round.
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As it happens, that win over Williams also came on July 1 on No. 1 Court.
“It was kind of my breakout moment, and playing against one of my idols was insane,” Gauff said. “Every time I walk down this hallway I get deja vu and I just remind myself, like, if I could do that (seven) years ago, I’m definitely a better player since then. So I definitely can do it now.”
Sierra was hoping to make another splash at Wimbledon, too. Last year, she became the first so-called lucky loser in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of the women’s tournament at the All England Club.
Naomi Osaka did make another another splash by showing off a new look again before winning her second-round match earlier Wednesday.
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Osaka, whose fashion reveals have become an event of their own at Grand Slam tournaments, wore a less elaborate outfit for her walk-on than the “Kill Bill” inspired kimono she sported for her opening-round match on Monday.
It still drew plenty of attention as she made the walk from the locker room to No. 2 Court, trailed by photographers and fans wanting to take their own photos.
This all-white outfit featured a wide belt and a long train that trailed behind her, which the four-time major winner took off as she began warming up for her match against qualifier Anastasia Gasanova.
She went on to quickly dispatch Gasanova 6-3, 6-2.
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“I’m just trying to mix it up a little bit,” Osaka said about her outfit, adding she had been worried that a loss might have ruined her daughter Shai’s third birthday on Thursday.
“I just wanted to be here for longer, I didn’t want to make her get on a plane on her birthday,” Osaka said.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka soon followed her into the third round, beating McCartney Kessler 6-1, 7-6 (9) on No. 1 Court.
Sabalenka converted her third match point in the tiebreaker after saving two set points.
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“She really tested me today and I’m super happy to have passed the test,” said Sabalenka, who will next play Jelena Ostapenko.
Men’s No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, who came from a set down twice to win in five sets in the first round, had a more comfortable victory Wednesday. Sinner beat Nuno Borges 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the first match on Centre Court.
It wasn’t entirely straightforward for the Italian, though, as he had to break back for 5-5 when Borges served for the second set, before winning in just over 2 1/2 hours.
“Second set was very, very tough,” Sinner said.
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Other winners included French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli, No. 17 Frances Tiafoe and No. 21 Tommy Paul.
Next up on Centre Court was women’s French Open winner Mirra Andreeva facing 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova before Novak Djokovic takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas.
On Tuesday, Serena Williams returned to Centre Court but lost in three sets to Maya Joint in her first singles match in nearly four years. Williams, who tweaked her knee in the match, still hopes to play doubles with sister Venus later in the week.
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