Djokovic, Swiatek shine in the rain as Wimbledon gets rolling

LONDON :Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic and women's top seed Iga Swiatek started their Wimbledon campaigns with routine victories on Monday as rain temporarily halted play on the outside courts and the threat of climate protests lingered in the air.

Djokovic, 36, has only lost twice at Wimbledon in a decade and began the Centre Court programme with a 6-3 6-3 7-6(4) win over Argentine Pedro Cachin after a 70-minute delay despite the roof being closed as ground staff laboured to get the turf dry.

The Serbian jokingly wiped the turf with a towel during the break in play to draw cheers from the crowd before ground staff deployed leaf blowers to get the job done and allow Djokovic to finally close out the victory.

Swiatek continued her quest to solve the grasscourt puzzle that has frustrated her by powering past China's Zhu Lin 6-1 6-3 with the contest finishing under the Court One roof due to rain.

World number one Swiatek, who last month claimed her third French Open crown and is eyeing a fifth Grand Slam title, meets Martina Trevisan or Sara Sorribes Tormo next.

Fourth seed Jessica Pegula also advanced to the second round but was made to work hard for a 6-2 6-7(8) 6-3 victory by fellow American Lauren Davis while twice Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka beat China's Yuan Yue 6-4 5-7 6-4.

FAMILIAR FACE

Earlier, the All England Club gates swung open for the start of the grasscourt major with some notable absentees but one very familiar face in Djokovic fixing his eyes on more records.

Wimbledon's favourite son Roger Federer, now retired, the injured Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams, also retired, are hard acts to follow and fans will lament their absence.

Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios, who pushed Djokovic hard in last