Day four of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships saw several top players secure their spots in the last 32. Reigning champion Iga Swiatek, along with Alexander Zverev, Elena Rybakina, and Frances Tiafoe, all advanced after their respective matches on Thursday.
Iga Swiatek, the third seed, moved past Karolina Pliskova with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. This performance followed a challenging first-round match where she defeated Taylor Townsend. Swiatek commented on her improved focus, stating, “For sure the first round was really emotional but today I felt like it’s another day at the office, I need to be ready, be sharp.” The Polish player has maintained a strong record in Grand Slams, reaching at least the third round on each of her past Grand Slam appearances since losing in round two at the 2019 U.S. Open.
Swiatek, who won her sixth Grand Slam title at the All England Club a year ago, is set to face the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala next. Eala, the 29th seed, made history by becoming the first woman from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam, defeating Maya Joint 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 on Court Three. Eala, at 21 years old, praised the atmosphere, describing it as “amazing, it was electric, respectful and all that I could have hoped for.”
In other women’s singles action, last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova came back from a break down in the third set to defeat Sofia Kenin in a deciding tie-break. Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys ended British interest in the women’s singles by beating Katie Swan in straight sets. Second seed Elena Rybakina also progressed, defeating Caty McNally 6-1, 6-2. Rybakina is bidding to take the world number one ranking from Aryna Sabalenka next week.
Men’s Singles Progress
Alexander Zverev, the second seed, delivered a strong performance against Valentin Royer, winning 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Zverev, who secured his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open last month, has historically not progressed far at Wimbledon, having never advanced past the last 16 in nine previous attempts. He expressed optimism about his current form, noting, “If I keep playing like this I definitely think it can happen this year.” He also highlighted the importance of a short-term memory in tennis, whether for good or bad results.
Zverev’s path in the tournament appears promising, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in the other half of the draw, and fourth seed Ben Shelton already out of the competition. Zverev’s victory over Royer helped to erase memories of his first-round exit last year against Arthur Rinderknech.
American sixth seed Taylor Fritz continued his strong run at the All England Club, defeating compatriot Patrick Kypson 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the third round. Fritz has reached at least the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in three of the past four years, having lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals a year ago.
Fifth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur also advanced with a straight-sets victory over French veteran Adrian Mannarino. Rising Spanish player Rafael Jodar completed a comeback win over Pablo Carreno Busta in a match that was delayed by darkness on Wednesday, winning the last two sets. Jodar, a Wimbledon debutant, had never played a Tour-level match on grass before this week but reached the French Open quarter-finals this year.
Other Notable Matches
Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, rallied after losing the first set to defeat Jan Choinski 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. Tiafoe recorded nine aces and 33 unforced errors, while Choinski had 41 unforced errors. Tiafoe also secured five breaks compared to his opponent’s one.
Grigor Dimitrov claimed a victory against the 15th seed Jakub Menšík with a score of 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Alexander Bublik, the 10th seed, also moved into the third round by defeating Kyrian Jacquet 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(5). Bublik served 15 aces and made 16 unforced errors, while Jacquet had 25 unforced errors.
Jiří Lehecka, the 13th seed, advanced with an assertive 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Alex Molcan, hitting 25 aces and securing six breaks. Karen Khachanov, the 19th seed, defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Flavio Cobolli, the ninth seed, won against James Duckworth 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-1. Matteo Berrettini defeated Arthur Fils 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Arthur Fery kept British hopes alive by beating Otto Virtanen in four sets.
The third round of the Wimbledon Championships is set to continue tomorrow, July 3, 2026, with matches featuring Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff.
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Source: thehindu.com
