Rublev leads Russian return with easy win

LONDON : Andrey Rublev said he was happy to be welcomed back to Wimbledon after becoming the first returning Russian through to the second round by beating Australian Max Purcell on Monday.

The 25-year-old seventh seed looked impressive on a breezy Court Three as he posted a 6-3 7-5 6-4 victory.

Rublev is one of 17 Russian and Belarusian players in the men's and women's singles draws after they were banned in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a 'special military operation'.

He was joined by Belarusian former world number one Victoria Azarenka as the women's 19th seed edged past China's Yuan Yue 6-4 5-7 6-4 and there was also a win for Russian 12th seed Veronika Kudermetova who beat Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi.

Wimbledon was the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments to ban Russian and Belarusian players last year - a decision that resulted in ranking points being taken away from the event by the ATP and WTA Tours.

As part of their return, players from the two nations are playing as neutrals and must sign personal declarations pledging not to support Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime.

Players are not allowed to receive state funding or have sponsorship from Russian or Belarusian companies.

Wimbledon's U-turn, confirmed by All England Club organisers in March, attracted some criticism with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calling the decision "immoral".

WARM WELCOME

Rublev, who wrote "No War" on a camera lens at a tournament shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, was given a warm welcome by the crowd on a breezy Court Three.

He looked comfortable on the grass as he proved a class above 64th-ranked Purcell to reach the second round.

"I feel really happy to be back,