Jannik Sinner survived a grueling five-set encounter against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of Wimbledon, prevailing 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on a tense afternoon on Centre Court. The Italian, seeded eighth, showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with inconsistency, a lingering issue from his recent time off the tour.
Sinner's Rusty Start
Sinner, who had not played a competitive match since his second-round exit at the French Open due to a hip injury, looked sharp early, taking the first set with a single break of serve. However, his level dipped in the second set as Kecmanovic, ranked 37th, began to find his rhythm. The Serbian saved two set points in the tiebreak to level the match, then capitalised on a sloppy start from Sinner in the third set to take a two-sets-to-one lead.
According to Sinner's coach, Simone Vagnozzi, the player's lack of match practice was evident. "He was a bit rusty, but that's expected after a month off. The important thing is he found a way to win," Vagnozzi said.
Turning the Tide
Trailing by two sets to one, Sinner raised his game in the fourth set. He broke Kecmanovic early and served with greater authority, hitting 14 aces in the match. The fifth set saw Sinner take control with an early break, and he held his nerve to close out the match after three hours and 24 minutes.
"I knew it would be tough," Sinner said in his on-court interview. "I haven't played many matches lately, so I had to fight for every point. I'm happy to be through."
Five-Set History
Sinner has had a mixed record in five-set matches, with this victory improving his record to 3-4 in such contests. Last year at Wimbledon, he lost a five-set thriller to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals after holding a two-sets-to-one lead. He also lost a five-setter to Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in 2022. However, Sinner has shown resilience, including a five-set win over Alex de Minaur in the second round of the Australian Open this year.
Kecmanovic, meanwhile, has now lost three consecutive five-set matches at Grand Slams, with his last such win coming at the 2022 US Open.
Looking Ahead
Sinner will face either Quentin Halys or J.J. Wolf in the second round. With his first match behind him, he hopes to build momentum. "Every match is a new challenge," Sinner said. "I need to keep improving and stay focused."
The win keeps Sinner's hopes alive for a deep run at Wimbledon, where he is considered a dark horse contender. His powerful baseline game and improving serve make him a threat on grass, but consistency remains key. As the tournament progresses, the Italian will need to sharpen his game to avoid another early exit.
