Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina enter Wimbledon Round 3 with clinical displays

French Open champion Alexander Zverev and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina underlined their titles with emphatic straight wins to book their place in the third round of Wimbledon 2026 on Thursday 2 July.

Second-seeded Zverev produced another scintillating performance on Court No. 1, beating French qualifier Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (3). The German was in complete control for much of the match, winning nine straight games after an early exchange before Royer showed late resistance to force a third-set tiebreak.

Wimbledon 2026 – 4th Update

However, Zverev quickly regained control, using his powerful hitting and accurate serving to close out the match and record his 50th victory on grass at the tournament.

The reigning French Open champion admitted he briefly lost concentration at the end of the match but was pleased to conserve energy before the tournament’s business end. He will next face American Marcos Giron for a place in the fourth round.

RYBAKINA BACK TO HIS DOMINANT BEST

Reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina looked like a contender for a second Wimbledon crown when she swept American Caty McNally 6-1, 6-2 on Center Court. The Kazakh, who lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2022, needed just over an hour to dismantle McNally with her signature booming serve and aggressive baseline play.

Rybakina, who survived a brutal three-set test against Lois Boisson in the opening round, showed no signs of vulnerability. She repeatedly broke McNally’s serve, dictating points from the start and barely allowing her opponent any rhythm. She sealed the opening set in just 28 minutes before sweeping through the second.

The victory boosted Rybakin’s bid to regain the Wimbledon title and extended her impressive run of form which has already seen her win the Australian Open this season.

She will face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the third round after the Belgian advanced from her second round match. A deep run at the All England Club could also boost Rybakin’s push for world No.1.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

Jul 3, 2026 0:52 AM IST