Defending champion Swiatek struggles to Wimbledon first-round victory

Defending champion Iga Swiatek overcame a serious second-set wobble to reach the second round at Wimbledon on Tuesday, beating powerful American Taylor Townsend 6-1 2-6 6-3.

Swiatek, 25, a former world number one with six Grand Slam titles under her belt, looked to be cruising when she broke nervy 30-year-old Townsend's serve twice in the first set and took it with a stylish forehand winner.

But it was the third seed's turn to suffer nerves in the second set. She sprayed groundstrokes long and wide as her forehand consistency deserted her and the 79th-ranked Townsend capitalised, breaking serve twice and capturing the set with an exquisite backhand drop volley and an ace.

Concern showed on the faces of Swiatek's father and sister watching from the royal box.

The talented Pole has struggled with consistency since her 2025 triumph over Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final, going out in the quarter-finals of the US and Australian Opens and the fourth round at Roland Garros - a tournament she has won four times.

Things did not look good for her in the first game of the third set where she lost serving rhythm, producing three double faults in a marathon game that lasted 21 minutes and included 10 deuces. But she stuck it out and won.

"Sometimes just serving the ball in might be a tough ask so this game for sure was about that and about believing that I can do it because it was long and many break points," Swiatek said in an on-court interview.

"At the end I'm happy I kept my composure, I was listening to the box and they were supporting me a lot. I know I need to be solid and not look for winners or serves that would give me a point and play more safe to have a chance to play a rally."

Winning that key game appeared to galvanise her. The errors started to fade and, after the two women traded breaks, it was an emotional Swiatek who prevailed, winning the match with an ace.