Champion Rybakina through after early scare on Centre Court

By Charlie Stong on Centre Court at Wimbledon

Elena Rybakina bt Shelby Rogers 4-6/6-1/6-2.

Ladies’ champion Elena Rybakina survived a scare on Centre Court this afternoon, coming from a set down to beat American Shelby Rogers in the first round at Wimbledon.

On an otherwise grim day where only an hour’s play has so far been possible on the outside courts, those lucky enough to have a ticket for Centre were treated to a classic, as the world number 49 held her own for much of this match, until class finally told and the champion ran away with it 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The American was quick out of the blocks and broke Rybakina’s serve in the opening game of the match. A superb double-handed backhand down the line was too good for the champion, who then netted to give Rogers the lead.

Rogers comfortably held her first two service games to race into a 3-1 lead and, although the Kazakhstani world number 3 was beginning to find her game, Rogers was untroubled on her serve, and eventually served out the set with an ace down the middle to take it 6-4.

Wounded, Rybakina then pulled herself together and raced into a 5-0 lead in the second set. She was beginning to find the lines with her serve and was pouncing on anything short from her opponent.

Rogers held to make it 1-5 to at least save the embarrassment of A 6-0 set, but lost it in the next game when misjudging a long Rybakina forehand she thought was out. Rogers left it, it was on the line and the match was all-square at one set all.

Rogers took a long beak off the court at the end of the second set, but it did her little good, Rybakina breaking again in the opening game of the deciding set thanks, in part, to a lightning fast forehand down the line which was too good for Rogers, who was beginning to tire.

Rybakina held to 15 to take a 2-0 lead, but to her credit the American continued to fight. She held her next two service games, but at 2-4 she looked unable to trouble the champion on her serve.

And the pressure finally told in the seventh game of the set. Rogers saved two break points from 15-40, the second with an ace, but double faulted on Rybakina’s third opportunity to hand the Kazakhstani a 5-2 lead.

The champion then served two aces as she ran out a comfortable winner of the third set and, eventually, the match.

Pictured top: Elena Rybakina v Shelby Rogers on Centre Court (Picture: Charlie Stong)