2. ATP

11 things we learned from day two of Wimbledon 2015

30 June 2015 08:46

It was so hot it was more like the Australian Open than Wimbledon, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t another great day of tennis.

Here’s what we found out on day two at the All England Club.

1. Champions are champions for a reason.

Andy Murray playing at Wimbledon
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Former men’s champions Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray were all in action today, and all won in straight sets. Only Murray had even the slightest of problems as he was taken to a tie-breaker in the second set by Mikhail Kukushkin. And it was a similar story in the women’s draw as defending champ Petra Kvitova beat Kiki Bertens for the loss of just one game.

There were a few upsets though – chief among them a defeat for last year’s beaten finalist Eugenie Bouchard. It wasn’t exactly a huge shock as Bouchard is in dreadful form – she’s now lost 12 of her last 14 singles matches. At least she has a sense of humour about it…

2. Roger Federer has sweet skills.

We knew that already, of course, but check out the awesome slow-mo at the start of that video.

3. There are bagels on the menu at Wimbledon.

Angelique Kerber became the third player at Wimbledon this year to achieve the usually rare ‘double bagel’ as she beat fellow German Carina Witthoeft 6-0 6-0 on Tuesday.

Seeded 10th for Wimbledon, Kerber followed Venus Williams and Andrea Petkovic, who both won without dropping a game on Monday, in making the most straightforward possible progress to the second round.

Angelique Kerber playing at Wimbledon
(Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

Before this tournament, there had not been a Wimbledon double bagel in the women’s singles for six years.

4. This guy draws only with his mouth but can recreate Andy Murray’s face.

We’re well impressed, and so’s Andy – he retweeted it.

5. It was really, really hot at the All England Club.

Is it actually legal to play tennis when it’s this hot?

6. Nadal can jump really high.

7. Laura Robson may be back, but she’s not *back*.

Laura Robson playing at Wimbledon
Laura Robson (Adam Davy/PA)

A first-round exit may sound like a disappointment for a player whose last appearance here saw her reach the last 16, but given she’s barely played any tennis in the last 18 months because of injuries, she was pretty pleased. The aim now? Be ready for the US Open at the end of August. “That is currently the plan, but that’s still a long way off,” she said.

8. You should never question Heather Watson’s spirit.

Heather Watson celebrates her win at Wimbledon
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

While Robson may be the most exciting of the British women, the current number one is Heather Watson. And she showed exactly why with a hugely impressive win over France’s Caroline Garcia. Watching Watson can be a nail-biting experience, but she saved three match points on her way to winning the third set 8-6 to prove she has the guts and nerve to perform on the big stage.

9. The Brits are on the charge.

James Ward playing at Wimbledon
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

There are a whopping five Brits through to the second round of singles competition. Murray and Watson followed Liam Broady, who went through on day one, but there were more to come – James Ward beat Luca Vanni and Aljaz Bedene saw off Radek Stepanek.

If you’ve never heard of Bedene, you’re not alone – he was born in Slovenia, but has been living in England since 2008 and only received his passport three months ago. If there was any doubt about whether the home fans would take him to their hearts, the roars from the home crowd told you everything you needed to know.

10. Shade can be hard to come by at the All England Club.

Tennis fans at Wimbledon
(Philip Toscano/PA)

Tennis fans at Wimbledon
(Tim Ireland/AP)

Tennis fans at Wimbledon
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

11. Roy Hodgson doesn’t like clapping.

Roy Hodgson watching from the Royal Box at WImbledon
(Mike Egerton/PA)

It was a very hot day, to be fair. No need to over-exert yourself.

Source: SNAPPA