In the build-up to Wimbledon, Swiatek talked about her intention to become an all-court player and believed she is now better prepared to challenge at the All England Club than she has been in previous years. However, the French Open and US Open champion began her quest to add another major on another surface in style. Poland's Swiatek, 22, is one of the favourites for the women's title but has never managed to go beyond the fourth round on the grass in SW19. I had a good feeling that this year would be a good year for me.' Swiatek feeling 'less rusty' at Wimbledon 'I feel like I started off the year well, I was playing well.

I feel like this year has been not necessarily lows, but I feel like it's a comeback year for me,' said 128th-ranked Kenin, who also reached the Roland Garros final in 2020. 'I think I have a lot to work on if I want to improve from this.'įormer world number four Kenin targeted Gauff's weaker forehand and maintained an aggressive approach throughout with clean ball-striking. I tried my best, but it wasn't enough,' said Gauff. 'I knew it was going to be a tough first round for me.

However, she was outpowered by an inspired Kenin who showed why she was one of the WTA Tour's rising stars only a few years ago. That success led to bold predictions of how many Grand Slams she would go on to win and, even though lifting one of the sport's biggest prizes has not yet materialised, the world number seven was expected to go far at a major tournament where she has previously done well. The 19-year-old burst on to the scene at Wimbledon in 2019 when, as a 15-year-old phenomenon, she came through qualifying before shocking five-time champion Venus Williams on her way to the last 16. Gauff knew the danger posed by 24-year-old Kenin and her wariness proved correct as she lost in the first round at the All England Club for the first time.

When the Wimbledon draw was made on Friday, Gauff being handed one of the trickiest draws possible - against a former Grand Slam champion looking to reignite her career - instantly caught the eye as a potential shock. Top seed Iga Swiatek laid down a marker with a 6-1 6-3 win over Zhu Lin. Kenin, who has been hampered by injuries and upheaval in her coaching set-up, said she felt 'super proud'.

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