Eugene and Lucy, coming to you from the Viking International Eastbourne, roundup events from the past couple of weeks before getting into the Wimbledon draws
Events round up Madison Keys made a run to the bett1Open Berlin (WTA 500) quarter-finals, taking out top seed Aryna Sabalenka in three sets en route. Qualifier Hailey Baptiste, on her grass-court main draw debut, was leading the first-set tiebreak against Jessica Pegula before suffering a nasty fall and injuring her right knee. Fellow qualifier Asia Muhammad went down to Petra Martic in three competitive sets.
• Viking Classic Birmingham (WTA 250) – Heather Watson became the first British player to reach the Viking Classic semi-final since 1992. Beat third seed Donna Vekic in straight sets en route.
• NOVENTI Open Halle (ATP 500) – Felix Auger-Aliassime made a run to the semi-finals. Beat his “idol” Roger Federer in round two – fell to eventual champ Ugo Humbert. Hubert Hurkacz and Felix also made it to the doubles final, fell to third seeds Krawietz/Tecau.
• cinch Championships Queens (ATP 500) – Frances Tiafoe made a run to his second Queen’s Club quarter-finals extending his winning streak on grass to 7 matches.
• Viking International Eastbourne (ATP 250/WTA 500) – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (vs. E.Gerasimov), Frances Tiafoe (vs. L.Broady), qualifier Mikael Ymer (vs. A.Davidovich Fokina) and wildcard Jay Clarke (vs. J.Millman) all fell in the first round. Top seed Gael Monfils – first-round bye – (vs. M.Purcell) fell in round two.
In the women’s first-round, Watson put up a good fight against Iga Swiatek before going down 3-6, 7-6, 5-7. Watson was leading 4-1 in the third. Coco Gauff made it to round two with a miraculous 0-6, 7-6, 7-5 win over Elise Mertens. Fell to Anastasija Sevastova in three tight sets.
• Bad Homburg (WTA 250) – Sloane Stephens withdrew as a precaution and “to focus on being 100% before stepping on court again”.
Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from Wimbledon but confirmed she will compete at the Olympics. Also shared a fire Vogue Japan front cover.
Wimbledon Women
[6] Serena Williams vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Venus Williams vs. Mihaela Buzarnescu – Venus will also be teaming up with Nick Kyrgios for mixed doubles
[20] Coco Gauff vs. [WC] Fran Jones
[23] Madison Keys vs. [Q] Katie Swan
*Sloane Stephens vs. [10] Petra Kvitova
Heather Watson vs. [LL] Kristie Ahn
Jasmine Paolini vs. Andrea Petkovic
Doubles
[12] Gauff/McNally vs. Perez/Kasatkina
[14] Muhammad/Pegula vs. Davis/Raina
Stephens/Anisimova vs. Van Uytvanck/Minnen
Wimbledon Men
[13] Gael Monfils vs. [Q] Christopher O’Connell
[16] Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Thiago Monteiro
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Mikael Ymer – Winner could face Felix in round two
*Frances Tiafoe vs. [3] Stefanos Tsitsipas
[WC] Jay Clarke vs. Egor Gerasimov
Doubles
Clarke/Marius Copil vs. [15] Daniell/Oswald
Nicholas Monroe/Vasek Pospisil vs. [7] Murray/Soares
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