British trio Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Andy Murray are among those hoping to progress as the action hots up at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
British number one Dan Evans overcame Feliciano Lopez to move into the second round and he is swiftly back on court when he takes on Serbian Dusan Lajovic.
Evans in Good Shape
Evans is enjoying an impressive season and, after winning his first ATP Tour title in February, the 22nd seed now looks in good shape to progress to the latter stages of Wimbledon.
The 31-year-old is hot favourite at 1/11 to win his second-round clash against Lajovic, who had to come through a gruelling five-set encounter against Gilles Simon in the first round, and another straight-sets win for the Briton, on offer at 10/13, appeals.
Norrie resumes his first-round tie against Frenchman Lucas Pouille a set down but is expected to recover and is 20/27 to seal a spot in the second round, while Murray is set to return to Centre Court later in the day when he takes on Germany’s Oscar Otte for a place in the third round.
Murray Hopes Rise
Murray made his return to Wimbledon after a four-year absence when he overcame a wobble to eventually see off 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Monday and there is tentative optimism that the injury-plagued Scot could yet defy expectations and make a real impact at SW19 once again this summer. Murray to win in four sets again looks decent value at 51/20.
this sport.
R1
#AMC pic.twitter.com/7GJoKCVkJ5
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 28, 2021
There’s also British interest in the women’s draw when Katie Boulter faces a stiff test against second seed Aryna Sabalenka. Boulter did well to beat Danielle Lao in the first round but this is a big step up and Sabalenka, who is 1/10 to win, should be too good for the 24-year-old.
Men’s overall favourite Novak Djokovic is also back in action when he takes on South African Kevin Anderson on Centre Court with the Serb likely to seal a comfortable passage to the third round.
Williams Forced to Withdraw
With several big names absent from this year’s tournament, it was disappointing to see American great Serena Williams be forced to pull out of her match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich after slipping in the fifth game of her first-round clash on Tuesday.
Williams, who was aiming to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title this summer, admitted she was “heartbroken” and the 39-year-old was visibly upset when eventually deciding to withdraw.
*All odds correct at time of writing