Defending champion Jannik Sinner survived another stern test at Wimbledon, defeating Nuno Borges 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 on Centre Court to advance to the third round. The world number one, who was taken to five sets in his opening match on Monday, faced a determined opponent in Borges and needed two tie-breaks to secure victory in just over two and a half hours.
First set tie-break drama
Break points were scarce in a tightly contested first set. Sinner failed to convert any of the three he earned in the opening game, and opportunities on Borges' serve remained rare. In the remaining 11 games, neither player won more than a point in the other's service game, with holds exchanged swiftly. A deep return gave Sinner the mini-break in the tie-break, and he capitalized on a second serve to earn a set point, which he converted to take the first set after 45 minutes.
Borges fights back
Borges, making his Centre Court debut and having never won a Wimbledon match before last year's third-round run, did not appear fazed by the occasion. He broke to lead 2-1 in the second set when Sinner sent a forehand long, and he maintained his lead until serving for the set at 5-4. However, Sinner broke back at 5-5, aided by a flurry of unforced errors from Borges, forcing another tie-break.
Borges dug his thumb into his knee before the tie-break, indicating a potential problem. He then surrendered a mini-break when he dominated a point only to slap a forehand into the net. That sparked a run of five straight points for Sinner, including a stunning backhand down the line, to move two sets up.
Third set decisive
Sinner broke at the start of the third set, but Borges responded immediately. The best game of the match unfolded next, featuring exhibition tennis with lobs, volleys, and passes. Sinner broke again to lead 2-1 with a perfect backhand pass. The Italian was rock solid on serve, firing down 21 aces to complement the 31 he totalled in the first round, limiting Borges' opportunities.
When serving for the match at 5-4, Sinner faced a brief scare at 30-30 but swatted away an overhead to bring up match point. A forehand crunched crosscourt was millimetres from catching the line, drawing a rueful smile. A minute later, Borges sliced long to hand Sinner the victory.
Next opponent revealed
Sinner will face American Jenson Brooksby in the third round on Friday. Brooksby, known for his defensive skills and unorthodox style, will provide another challenge for the defending champion.
