by Center Court saw the early exits of the two biggest local stars at Wimbledon, as Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray went out in the second round.
Raducanu’s 6-3, 6-3 loss to France’s Caroline Garcia was certainly an anticlimax, but it’s hardly surprising given the 19-year-old’s record since her US Open triumph and, what’s more, importantly, the lateral tension that severely disrupted their preparations. .
“I didn’t feel anything out there,” the British number one said of the injury. “I declared myself in top form when I walked out on the pitch on the first day.
“But I have played seven hours of tennis in a month. To even compete with these girls at this level and win a round, I think that’s a pretty good achievement.
“Obviously it’s hard to lose any game, but I think Caroline played a great game. She is a great player. I struggled to find a way through it today.
“But it’s okay because, going into this, I didn’t really have high expectations of myself. Playing on Center Court again was a very positive experience for me.”
Murray had never lost to towering American John Isner, but a 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-4 loss marked the two-time champion’s first loss at the All England Club.
Isner produced one of his best performances at the Grand Slam level, hitting 36 aces and hitting some exceptional volleys and half volleys.
The result was very disappointing for Murray, who had his preparations interrupted by an abdominal strain.
He was left to lament what might have been, saying: “I could have had a good race here. One of the reasons why it’s important to improve your ranking and try to get seeded (is) to avoid playing top players and dangerous guys like that early in tournaments.
“It’s one of those games that, if it had happened, who knows what would have happened.”
Ryan Peniston’s great British summer on grass ended with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 loss to another big-serving American, Steve Johnson, but Cameron Norrie kept the home flag flying as he battled through straight sets. to one to defeat Jaume Munar.
Norrie finds himself the top-ranked player in his fourth in the draw as he looks to get through the third round in a slam for the first time and his 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-0 6-2 victory over the Spaniard Munar prepared a clash with Johnson.
“I’m going to go and treat it like any other match, go out there and compete as hard as I can,” the ninth seed said.
“I will go out and enjoy it. Another chance to accept the pressure, accept the challenge of trying to make it to the second week.”
Heather Watson was defeated by darkness in her attempt to beat Wang Qiang and reach the third round in a slam for the first time in five years.
Watson broke trying to serve on Court 18 at which point the game was called off with the British player winning 7-5, 5-4.
Katie Boulter, Jack Draper, Harriet Dart, Liam Broady and Alastair Gray will also try to join Norrie in the last 32 on Thursday.
