China's Wang Qiang eases past Vera Lapko to reach the second round. /VCG Photo
China's 15-seeded Wang Qiang avoided another first-round exit at Wimbledon, beating Vera Lapko of Belarus 6-2, 6-2 in under one hour.
The victory today has equalized her best record at Wimbledon and comes a year after she was beaten by compatriot Zheng Saisai in the first round. In 2017, she reached the second round but eventually lost to Venus Williams. Wang has made great progress in recent years and she rises to the 15th in world rankings.
Wang breezed to the win, firing off five aces on 80% first serve shooting and 68% on the second. Wang has been working with Safina's former coach Pancho Alvarino from May this year. These results suggest that his serve guidance is doing the trick.
Other action saw Zheng Saisai of China beaten by top-seeded Ashleigh Barty of Australia 6-4, 6-2. Last year, Zheng beat Wang Qiang to move into the second round at Wimbledon, but went on to lose to then top-seed Simona Halep.
Defending champion Angelique Kerber also avoided the fate of second seed Naomi Osaka and came through the first round clashes safely.
Emotional Sharapova quits
Seven-time champion Serena Williams joined Barty and Kerber in the second round, but put in a rather laborious performance before beating Italian qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone 6-2, 7-5.
However, the 37-year-old professed herself to be content with her performance as she has bene struggling with a knee injury.
"It is the best I have felt since February," she said.
Williams injury may have healed but for the former glamour girl of the circuit Maria Sharapova it was quite the opposite.
The 2004 champion had to retire from her match with Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier due to an arm injury and at 32 the chances of ever returning to being a genuine Grand Slam contender must be slim.
Sharapova, now ranked at 80 in the world, served for the match in the second set but then needed treatment on her arm. /VCG Photo
Sharapova was trailing 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 5-0 when she called it quits.
"I'm still proud that I'm here. This is not the easy way. I think the easy way would be just for me to maybe do other things," said Sharapova who was close to tears in her post-match news conference.
"This is far from easy. I've never taken the easy route. I've always worked, committed, focused. Like I said, these moments are hard, but I love what I do. I still have a lot of passion for it."
Federer overcomes scare
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer overcame a first set scare to reach the second round on Tuesday beating South African debutant Lloyd Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Federer admitted it had taken time to get going against a far form over-awed opponent, who was hampered later on with a calf injury.
Federer, who aims for a record-extending ninth men's title, will face Britain's Jay Clarke next. /VCG Photo
"I struggled early on, my legs were frozen and the ball was not going where I wanted it to," said Federer.
Federer's great rival Rafael Nadal also went through in easier fashion beating Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 to set up a fascinating tussle with fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios -- who stunned Nadal as a 144-ranked wildcard on his tournament debut in 2014 -- put in a typically raucous and charismatic display to claim a 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12/10), 0-6, 6-1 win over countryman Jordan Thompson.
"Not sure that me and Rafa could go down to the Dog & Fox and have a beer together," said a typically frank Kyrgios on their relationship.
However, Nadal refused to add fuel to the fire on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's clash.
"I am too old to get into all this stuff," the 33-year-old said when asked for his view on facing a man who he accused earlier this year of "lacking respect".
(With input from Xinhua, AFP)