(Wimbledon) The Czech Marie Bouzkova became the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon tournament on Sunday morning.
Posted at 8:31 a.m.
Bouzkova beat France’s Caroline Garcia 7-5, 6-2 in the fourth round to advance to the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
The 23-year-old will meet in the next round with the winner of the duel between the third seed, Ons Jabeur, and the Belgian Elise Mertens.
Bouzkova had surprised the seventh seed, Danielle Collins, as the curtain-raiser for the tournament on grass.
PHOTO ALASTAIR GRANT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Caroline Garcia
In addition, the holder of three career Wimbledon titles, Novak Djokovic, will parade on center court later today.
The usual rest day at the All England Club has been abolished. A British player, Heather Watson, will be the first to perform on center court on this occasion. She will face the German Jule Niemeier.
On the other hand, the fifth seed, Carlos Alcaraz, will cross swords with the Italian Jannik Sinner, then Djokovic will crown the day by facing the Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven.
Federer back at Wimbledon
In addition, Roger Federer was back at Wimbledon while the All England Club was preparing to mark the centenary of the center court.
PHOTO ALBERTO PEZZALI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roger Federer
Federer has won eight career Wimbledon titles — a men’s singles record — but is missing the tournament for the first time since his rookie season in 1999.
The 20-time Grand Slam holder said earlier this year that he will not attempt a return to action following his most recent knee surgery until the end of the summer at the earliest.
The 40-year-old veteran hasn’t played since losing the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year when he took part in the tournament for the 22e times of his career.