Frances Tiafoe’s maiden two-set comeback puts him among early Wimbledon winners
Meanwhile, Medevedev, Ruud and Dimitrov enjoyed straight-set victories Monday.
Can a comeback from two sets down at Wimbledon provide Frances Tiafoe the boost he’s looking for?
On Monday, the Hyattsville, Md. native avoided another disappointing major exit by storming back to defeat Matteo Arlandi, 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3. It marks the first time that Tiafoe has won a best-of-five match after trailing by two sets.
In his most recent tournament appearance, Tiafoe was forced to retire early in the third set with a hip injury at the Queen’s Club after sustaining a nasty fall. Before that rough luck, the former world No. 10 had posted back-to-back victories just twice this season.
Arnaldi had one opportunity to break for 3-2 in the fourth set, but was kept on his back foot by Tiafoe. It’s as close to striking distance as the Italian would get, for the No. 29 seed ran off the next five games.
Up 4-3 in the decider, Tiafoe put the match on his racquet when his backhand drop shot drew a forced error. He then sealed the victory with a body serve that didn’t make it back over the net.
On No.1 Court, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev launched his campaign in style. The 2023 semifinalist dispatched Aleksandar Kovacevic, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in one hour and 47 minutes.
Eighth seed Casper Ruud lined up a second-round date with Fabio Fognini in his 2024 grass-court debut. Ruud handled qualifier Alex Bolt, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4, in two hours and 13 minutes.
"It's nice to stand here now as the winner of the match," Ruud said afterwards. "Every win I can get here is good for my confidence.
"These courts are so perfect, it almost feels kind of bad to ruin them when we get here. I tried to be light on my feet and not do too much damage, but you do what you have to. I didn't slip, I didn't fall, so that's a good thing."
Ruud is the first ATP player to reach 40 wins this season. For his part, Fognini posted a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 win over lucky loser Lucas Van Assche.
Former semifinalists Grigor Dimitrov and Denis Shapovalov also advanced with confident performances. The tenth-seeded Dimitrov defeated Dusan Lajovic, 6-3, 6-4, 7-4. The Canadian knocked out No. 19 seed Nicolas Jarry, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
In the women’s draw, ninth seed Maria Sakkari rolled, 6-3, 6-1, against American qualifier McCartney Kessler. Marta Kostyuk, the No. 18 seed, eased past Rebecca Sramkova, 6-3, 6-2, while 28th-seeded countrywoman Dayana Yastremska beat Nadia Podoroska, 6-1, 7-6 (1).