Defending champion Iga Swiatek survived a massive second-set scare from Taylor Townsend to secure her spot in the second round at Wimbledon. Photo: IANS
Iga Swiatek survived a scare to start her Wimbledon title defence with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 win over American world number 79 Taylor Townsend on Tuesday.
Swiatek suffered a second-set wobble that left her in danger of becoming only the third reigning female Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round in the Open-era. But the world No 3, a six-time Grand Slam champion, steadied her nerves in the deciding set, surviving a 21-minute first game before securing the breaks of serve that edged her into the second round.
The visibly emotional Swiatek buried her head in a towel after converting match point.
The 25-year-old Pole hasn't reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam in her last three attempts since winning Wimbledon last year, when she bounced back after losing her French Open crown to romp to a maiden grass-court title. However, she was far from her best 12 months on against Townsend, who was cheered on courtside by Japanese star Naomi Osaka.
