Wimbledon Day 1 produces four two-set comebacks, matching entirety of 2023 event
Among them: qualifier Lloyd Harris, who saved a match point to deny Alex Michelsen Monday in London.
At 2023 Wimbledon, four comebacks from two sets down were produced throughout the fortnight.
On the opening Monday of The Championships this year, four men have already combined to equal that total.
Jordan Thompson has pulled it off in consecutive appearances. The Australian battled back to defeat Pavel Kotov, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in four hours and six minutes. The year prior, he turned the tide against Brandon Nakashima—also in first-round action.
For the first time, Frances Tiafoe successfully erased a two-set deficit. The No. 29 seed secured a 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Matteo Arnaldi. Borna Coric awaits the American.
Tiafoe’s countryman Alex Michelsen was on the unfortunate end of the equation.
Lloyd Harris saved a match point late in his heroic victory, denying the 19-year-old a winning debut. The qualifier prevailed, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (11-9), on an incredible final point that saw Harris slip in the deuce corner, recover to stay in the rally and finish with a volley winner before falling to his knees in pure elation. In June, Harris won the grass-court ATP Challenger event in Suribton, his third triumph at that level this season.
Later, No. 23 seed Alexander Bublik fought back to eliminate Jakub Mensik, The former Halle champion advanced, 4-6, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Twelve months ago at the All England Club, Bublik progressed to the round of 16 for the first time on the major stage.
Four more competitors came through contests that went the distance, including two in decisive tiebreaks.
Arthur Cazaux avoided a collapse from two sets up when he squeaked by qualifier Zizou Bergs, 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (10-8), to get himself a matchup with Bublik. Aleksandar Vukic survived, 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), against Saturday’s Mallorca runner-up Sebastian Ofner. His reward? Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Ugo Humbert and Daniel Altmaier surged late to pull away in their fifth sets. Humbert, the No. 16 seed, beat Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (3), 6-1. Altmaier wrapped up a 4-6, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over wild card Arthur Fery.