Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese lead WNBA team vs US Olympic squad

On: By: admin


Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second half of a WNBA game Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will team up on the WNBA All-Star team to play against the U.S. Olympic team led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.

The pair of remarkable rookies were selected Tuesday by a combination of votes from the media, players and fans as well as the league’s 12 coaches to play in the game in Phoenix on July 20. It’s the 20th All-Star Game in the league’s history.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been her teammate before, even at USA Basketball. I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everyone else,” Clark said. “This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everyone on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don’t want it to take away from any of that and be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that’s not fair to them.”

READ: Caitlin Clark left off Team USA roster for Paris Olympics

Clark was the leading vote-getter from the fans, receiving 700,735 with her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston finishing second 72,000 votes behind. Reese was fifth with 381,518 votes. Wilson and Stewart were third and fourth. Wilson garnered 607,300 votes and Stewart had 424,135.

Clark and Reese have been a boon for the WNBA in ratings, merchandise sales and attendance. They are also playing well on the court with Clark third in assists with 6.9 and Reese leading the WNBA in rebounds at 11.4.

“They just told me I’m an All-Star. I’m just so happy,” an emotional Reese said after her Sky beat the Atlanta Dream. “I know the work I’ve put in. Coming into this league so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player I was in college, or better, or would be worse, or wouldn’t be where I am right now. But I trust the process and I’m thankful I dropped to No. 7 (pick in the draft) and was able to come to Chicago.”

READ: WNBA: Angel Reese says foul on Caitlin Clark a basketball play

It’s the eighth time that two rookies have been on the team. The last was Shoni Schimmel and Chiney Ogwumike in 2014.

Joining the rookies on the WNBA team were DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones of Connecticut, Allisha Gray of Atlanta, Dearica Hamby of Los Angeles, Jonquel Jones of New York, Kayla McBride of Minnesota, Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle and Arike Ogunbowale of Dallas.

Ogunbowale was the MVP of the 2021 All-Star game which featured the same format of the U.S. team playing a league All-Star team. The WNBA team won that game.

“She’s had an incredible season to this point,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said of McBride. “She’s doing everything for us, so deserving of this All-Star nod.”

The U.S. team, which will be going for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris later this month, also features Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. The pair of Phoenix players will get a chance to play in front of their home crowd in the exhibition game. Taurasi will be vying for a record sixth Olympic gold medal.

Three of Wilson’s Las Vegas teammates — Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young — are on the U.S. team. Gray was on the Tokyo Olympic squad while Plum and Young both helped the Americans win the inaugural 3-on-3 gold medal.

Other returners from the Tokyo Games include Napheesa Collier and Jewell Loyd. Several first-time Olympians will join the team with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three played on the American team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.

Every player chosen for either the U.S. team or the WNBA squad is considered an All-Star making this Taurasi’s 11th time in the game. She’s now alone in second behind Sue Bird for most all time. Bird was a 13-time All-Star.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

The league will have a 3-point challenge and skill contest the night before the All-Star game.

Esteban sees action in Paris with milestone for PH

On: By: admin


Maxine Esteban—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Already having the support of two nations, Maxine Esteban just got validation that she has what it takes to win in the Paris Olympics.

Climbing to a world ranking of 27th the FIE (International Fencing Federation) for the year, Esteban just became the highest ranked Philippine-born fencer as she sees action for Ivory Coast in the glitzy fashion capital later this month.

“I want to thank all my Filipino and Ivorian supporters. Thank you for your prayers and love. You are the reason I continue to strive for excellence,” Esteban said. “Lastly, I thank God for this amazing season, thank you for your protection and guidance—and for the overwhelming abundance of blessings.”

Esteban is one of the 30 direct qualifiers for the women’s foil event—automatic berths granted to athletes based on their world ranking.

The final pairings for the women’s foil event, which will be a direct elimination format, will be known after the four lowest ranked fencers battle for the last two slots in the round of 32.

The top 16 in the rankings will battle the lower 16 in crossover fashion, and fencers will need at least three wins for a shot at the podium.

Esteban is currently in Germany with her coach, Andrea Magro, who tutored several gold-winning Olympians before.

“I am happy and excited that my world ranking has again risen,” she said. “After such a hectic season of 18 Olympic qualifiers which culminated in my direct qualification for Paris Olympics, this is indeed one of the biggest rewards for all my hard work.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Cabang completes journey from walk-in to the Olympics

On: By: admin


John Cabang is a remarkable success story for PH athletics. —PHILIPPINE ATHLETICS TRACK AND FIELD ASSOCIATION/FACEBOOK

John Cabang was a walk-in, a virtual unknown competing in the men’s 110-meter hurdles of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) weekly trials and winning the event two years ago.

In a few weeks, he’ll be wearing the PH red-white-and-blue in the Paris Olympics.

“I just tried my luck in the trials and it was all worth it,’’ said Cabang, a full-blooded Filipino who grew up in the Basque region of San Sebastian in Spain whose qualification for the Games, like Lauren Hoffman, was announced late Tuesday evening by World Athletics.

Cabang and Hoffman will accompany pole vault ace EJ Obiena in the French capital as athletics bets.

“Being there in the Olympics is surreal, I just couldn’t explain the feeling. Super happy I guess,’’ said the 22-year-old Cabang, the Philippine record holder of 13.37 seconds in the event.

Qualifying easily

He ended up ranked 29th out of 40 qualifiers on the deadline of the Olympic rankings last Sunday after punctuating his qualification journey with a victory in the Spanish Club Championships last month.

Cabang and Hoffman, the national champion in the women’s 400-m hurdles, performed well in several Olympic qualifying meets.

“It was a Herculean effort. From the outset, we set a very high expectation of qualifying four to five athletes. To date, we already have three. There’s still a slim chance albeit remote of maybe one more athlete,’’ said Patafa president Terry Capistrano.

Sprinter Kristina Knott is clinging onto the possibility of securing a Paris ticket after ranking No. 57 out of 48 qualifiers in the women’s 200 m.

The inclusion of Cabang and Hoffman has jacked up to 22 the number of Filipino athletes that will see action in nine sports in the July 26 to Aug. 11 global sports showpiece.

“This focused campaign to get our athletes to Paris is also an exercise to be able to understand, study and improve our processes in order to navigate the road to the Olympics,’’ said Capistrano.

“We hope this exercise will provide the template for the future,’’ he added.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Olympic silver medalists boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam have been designated flagbearers in the opening ceremony where fellow boxer and Olympic bronze performer Eumir Marcial is expected to be in attendance along with Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo.

Converge has franchise find as Baltazar enters Draft

On: By: admin


Justine Baltazar. Photo from B.League

Justine Baltazar, the big man many see as Converge’s the top overall pick, officially threw his name in the PBA Draft on the eve of the deadline set by the league on Wednesday.

Baltazar formally submitted his application on Wednesday, joining notables who had put their names ahead of the Draft that will be held at Glorietta in Makati City on July 14.

Converge owns the right to select first after placing dead last in both the import-laden Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup, winning just three out of 22 games combined.

Coach Aldin Ayo was not available for comment at press time. But he had said after the FiberXers’ final game of Season 48 that Converge intends to get someone who can turn things around.

“Hopefully we can get the players that would help us,” Ayo said then.

That may likely be Baltazar, whose versatility since his UAAP days at La Salle and impressive showing for Gilas Pilipinas three years ago in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers and Olympic Qualifying Tournament made him a potential game changer for Converge.

His connections with key figures within the FiberXers franchise also seems to make his selection a no-brainer, even if Dave Ildefonso, the former Ateneo hotshot in the UAAP, is reportedly considering joining the pool before the deadline lapses on Thursday.

Baltazar currently plays for the MPBL’s Pampanga team owned by Gov. Dennis Pineda, whose bid to become Converge’s team governor last year was thumbed down by the PBA board. The FiberXers eventually appointed Pineda’s son-in-law, Archen Cayabyab, to the post.

The 6-foot-9 standout was also handled in 2016 by Ayo, who steered La Salle to the UAAP championship. Baltazar also played in past international tournaments for Strong Group Athletics of the Lao family. Jacob Lao currently holds the role of Converge team manager.

Ildefonso, meanwhile, is set to play for SGA in the William Jones Cup, and will enter the Draft following a two-year stint with Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League.

He also has a connection with Converge, where his dad, PBA great Danny, is part of Ayo’s staff.

Applicants have until 5 p.m. on Thursday to turn in their papers at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City. Once the official list is finalized, rookie hopefuls will take part in next week’s Draft Combine at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Former Asean Basketball League player and Taiwan’s T1 League import Caelan Tiongson, Evan Nelle and CJ Cansino are among the other notable names already entered.

Philippines wakes up to result of Gilas’ first OQT game

On: By: admin


Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

National coach Tim Cone has made one thing clear months before the tall order Gilas Pilipinas needs to hurdle in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

“I’m a big believer that there are always really hard things to do. But nothing’s impossible,” he had told the Inquirer.

The architect behind last year’s golden romp in the Asian Games in China put that mantra to the test once again on Thursday morning in Manila, when the Philippines wakes up to the result of its National squad opening its OQT stint against Latvia and its home crowd at Arena Riga.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

Against overwhelming odds, Cone had already asked his crew—led by the indefatigable Justin Brownlee, the World Cup-tested duo of June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, and young cornerstones Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos—to have the immediate goal of making the knockout crossover, where they have a better chance of tabbing an Olympic berth.

“We’re not here to win a game. We’re here to win a tournament. We’re here to win the whole thing,” he was quoted saying during practice in a story published by the PBA website.

“Losing to [Latvia] does not get us knocked out. But losing—if we allow that first one to affect us in the second one (against Georgia), then we’re gonna be knocked out,” he added.

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Cone’s outlook may be the only logical step for the No. 37-ranked Philippines to take, considering how high Latvia is in the global basketball leaderboard.

The hosts are ranked sixth on the planet and lived up to that lofty billing with an 83-55 whipping of world No. 23 Georgia in Group A.

So hapless were the Jvarosnebi that national coach Aleksandar Dzikic and Duda Sanadze had very little to say about their performance.

Latvians flex might

“We didn’t respond well enough and long enough to their physicality and this result in the end is actually quite embarrassing, to be honest,” said Dzikic.

“[W]e’re very disappointed. The score is not what we are and what we worked [for]. We worked hard these past days and some weeks, but this score’s not us. From the bottom of our hearts, I just want to say sorry for our efforts—to our fans and families—because this is not really us,” Sanadze said.

Cone and his charges were witnesses to the merciless Latvian display. And so Gilas also knows how deflated the Georgians are.

And that could spell trouble for the Filipinos, too, as that means the Jvarosnebi will be dead-set on redeeming themselves in their clash set 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (Manila time).

“If we can beat one of those two teams (Latvia or Georgia), that means we can compete in the crossover, [and] you never know from there,” Cone said.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

The Philippines will need at least a win over Georgia to improve its chances of making the next phase, where they could either play Cameroon, Montenegro, or Brazil.

Chargers, Chameleons shake up rosters, benches

On: By: admin


Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Sister teams Akari and Nxled have been the busiest team of late in the Premier Volleyball League offseason, as they exchanged players even with league president Ricky Palou rejecting the idea.

The Chargers, aside from signing former US NCAA standout Olu Okaro as import, acquired Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal and Cams Victoria while giving the Chameleons Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda and Jaja Maraguinot.

Akari also lost Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who opted out of her contract after she was initially involved in that multiplayer swap with the Chameleons. She will now play for Choco Mucho.

“I learned that Dindin was not in favor (of the team-switching),” ex-interim coach Raffy Mosuela told the Inquirer over the phone in Filipino on Wednesday afternoon. “So she decided to just end her contract with Akari.”

There were also movements on the bench for both teams as Japanese Taka Minowa now assumed the coaching position at Akari with Mosuela transferring to Nxled as the assistant of Chinese coach Chen Gang.

“In the case of coach Taka and I, actually it was already planned for a long time by management that he will take over after the All-Filipino Conference,” Mosuela said.

“The management told me that they were really looking for an international coach, so for the meantime that they haven’t found him yet [last conference], I headed Akari first,” Mosuela said.

Jaja, who wanted to play alongside her sister Jho, and Maji Mangulabnan will be the setters of Nxled with Cal joining Michelle Cobb at Akari.

“The owners agreed with regard to the changes of players because it was really planned a long time ago even during the last conference,” Mosuela said.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Latvia crushes Georgia ahead of Gilas game

On: By: admin


Latvia’s Davis Bertans takes a 3-pointer against Georgia during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.–Photo from Fiba

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

MANILA, Philippines—Buoyed by the home crowd, Latvia got off to a dominant start in its last-chance bid to make the Paris Olympics.

The Latvians showed why they’re ranked sixth in the world by blowing out Georgia, 88-53, on opening night of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Arena Riga.

“We are very happy for the way we entered the tournament after long seasons for everybody,” said Latvia coach Luca Banchi, whose squad takes on Gilas Pilipinas next on Thursday, 12 a.m. (Manila time).

READ: Fiba OQT: Bahamas tops Finland, Slovenia falls to Croatia

“The guys responded very well, starting from the defensive approach, bringing energy and good rhythm. We kept a good level of intensity all throughout the game.”

Arturs Strautins had a perfect offensive game to lead Latvia with 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field including four triples and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Mareks Mejeris and Rolands Smits also gave the Latvians a lift with their all-around effort combining for 21 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

NBA veteran Davis Bertans, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets, added nine points for Latvia, which finished fifth in last year’s Fiba World Cup in Manila.

READ: Latvia’s Porzingis to have surgery, out of Fiba OQT and Paris Olympics

Latvia is expected to sweep Group A despite missing the services of NBA star Kristaps Porzingis, who recently underwent leg surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon.

The Boston Celtics center suffered what was considered a rare injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals last month.

Alexander Mamukelashlivi was the sole double-digit scorer for Georgia with 14 points and four rebounds.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

On: By: admin


Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

Gilas Pilipinas pounced on Latvia’s early shooting woes and played with steely nerves down the stretch to topple World No. 6 and host Latvia, 89-80, in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

The No. 37-ranked Filipinos, overwhelming underdogs in the short meet at Arena Riga that will send a winner to the Paris Olympics, raced to an 8-0 start and built a sizable cushion that they never yielded until the final horn.

“I’m totally shocked to be sitting in front of you guys after winning this basketball game. This is not something we thought we were gonna do, I’ll be honest with you,” said Gilas coach Tim Cone after the Philippines beat a European team for the first time in 64 years.

“We wanted to come in and compete and really put on a good show. We got started early. We hit shots early. And thankfully Latvia missed shots.”

Naturalized ace Justin Brownlee delivered a near triple-double of 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while young cornerstones Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos tossed in 18 and 11 points, respectively, for a triumph that got Gilas’ campaign off to a rousing start.

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Barring a massive blowout at the hands of World No. 23 Georgia, the Philippines is on track to advance to the crossover knockout phase which could pit the Filipinos against Cameroon, Brazil or Montenegro.

Chris Newsome scored 10 points, including a couple of late baskets in the final period that kept the Latvians at bay with the results significantly shaking up the Group A race.

Gilas Pilipinas' Kai Sotto among the top performers against Latvia in the Fiba OQT.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto among the top performers against Latvia in the Fiba OQT. –FIBA BASKETBALL

The Latvians, having won 24 of their last 27 Fiba games, were projected to sweep the preliminaries, but struggled against a determined Gilas side and dropped to 1-1 in the OQT.

It also didn’t help the hosts that their outside shooting abandoned them just as the Filipinos hit theirs. Latvia was 10-for-42 while Gilas wound up 9-of-20 from deep.

“There were a couple of stretches, like Kai said, that we kind of lost our way a little bit but it seems like when Latvia was just about ready to make huge run at us, they would miss an open three-point shot,” Cone said.

“And that’s just one of those night for Latvia—they just won’t hit shots tonight.”

Rodions Kurucs and Rolands Smits joined hands for a last-ditch effort for the Latvians, but the Gilas cushion—which swelled to as big as 26 points—proved too big to overhaul.

READ: Tim Cone ‘not satisfied’ until Gilas reaches optimal FIBA OQT form

Kurucs had 18 points, Davis Bertans, Kristers Zoriks and Janis Strelnieks 10 each while Smits had 9 in the Latvian effort that left many in the home crowd in disbelief.

Gilas and Georgia tangle in 18 hours (8:30 p.m. Manila time) at the same venue.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

 

Bronny James says he can handle playing with dad, Lakers

On: By: admin


Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Bronny James, left, and his father, LeBron James, share a light moment as they arrive for the NBA basketball team’s news conference in El Segundo, Calif., Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

EL SEGUNDO, California — Bronny James says the opportunity to play professionally alongside his famous father played no role in his decision to enter the NBA draft.

Now that the 19-year-old son of LeBron James has been selected by the Los Angeles Lakers anyway, Bronny says he can still handle all the extra attention and pressure while the James family makes basketball history.

“I’m … trying to get my name out for myself,” Bronny said Tuesday. “I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day. I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad. That’s always there to take part of, but it wasn’t a main focus of mine.”

The Lakers formally introduced Bronny James and their first-round pick, Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, in a news conference at their training complex. Los Angeles selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick last week, creating the potential for an NBA first.

No father and son have ever played in the league at the same time, let alone on the same team.

READ: NBA: Bronny James ready for pressure after ‘surreal’ Lakers move

“It’s for sure amplified the amount of pressure,” Bronny James said. “I’ve already seen it in (social) media and on the internet and stuff talking about (how) I might not deserve an opportunity. But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for my whole life. It’s nothing different. It’s more amplified for sure, but I can get through it.”

Bronny reiterated that he didn’t jump to the NBA just because his 39-year-old father is still an active player, acknowledging he didn’t necessarily share his father’s oft-stated dream of playing in the league together. Bronny also knew he couldn’t control where he was drafted, despite what he’s read on social media recently about the Lakers’ pick being a nepotistic effort to keep LeBron James with the Lakers for the rest of his career.

Bronny James is the oldest son of the NBA’s career scoring leader. LeBron James has spent the past six seasons with the Lakers, and he is all but certain to return to the team even though he is currently a free agent after declining his $51.4 million player option for next season.

LeBron James quietly watched his son’s introductory news conference from the back of the Lakers’ gym at their training complex.

Bronny said he’s better prepared for the challenges ahead of him because of “stuff that (LeBron) has been telling me my whole life. Just having that work ethic, and coming in and getting your work in, and listening to your coaches and being coachable, stuff like that he’s driven into my head my whole life.”

READ: NBA: Bronny James to wear No. 9 jersey with Lakers

Bronny James deftly answered questions about everything he’ll face after jumping straight to the NBA from one short season of college basketball. He played inconsistently last winter at USC after recovering from a frightening cardiac event in July 2023.

“The time that I had off, I feel like I could have been perfecting my game more,” Bronny said. “I just feel like I’ve been given the opportunity to showcase what I can really do, because I wasn’t given that much of an opportunity at SC. So I’m excited for what it’s going to be.”

Rather than spending another year in college, Bronny said he expects to improve his game in the Lakers’ player development system being set up under new coach JJ Redick, who emphasized the necessity of developing talent from within the organization after general manager Rob Pelinka hired him last month.

“Rob and I did not give Bronny anything,” Redick said. “Bronny has earned this through hard work. For us, prioritizing player development, we view Bronny as Case Study 1, because his base level of feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defender, shooting, passing, there’s a lot to like about his game. As we build out our player development program holistically, he’s going to have the opportunity to be an excellent NBA player.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Bronny James and Knecht both expect to play for the Lakers’ summer league teams in Sacramento and Las Vegas this month.

LeBron and Bronny James are likely to join a short list of fathers and sons who have played together in North American professional sports. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together with the Seattle Mariners during parts of the 1990 and 1991 MLB seasons, while hockey great Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark with the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers.

Reigning Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova out in first round

On: By: admin


Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic reacts during her first round match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON — Marketa Vondrousova became the first defending women’s champion at Wimbledon to lose in the first round the next year since 1994, eliminated 6-4, 6-2 by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro at Centre Court on Tuesday.

Vondrousova was a surprise title winner at the All England Club 12 months ago, the first unseeded woman to claim the trophy at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

Now she enters the books in another — and less-wanted — historic way. The only other time in the sport’s Open era, which dates to 1968, that a woman went from a championship at Wimbledon to an immediate exit a year later was when Steffi Graf was defeated by Lori McNeil 30 years ago.

“I was happy to be back on the Centre Court,” Vondrousova said. “It just didn’t go as planned today.”

Vondrousova was seeded No. 6 this time, but the left-hander, who was the runner-up at the 2019 French Open and a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, was never quite able to demonstrate her full game Tuesday. She appeared to still be suffering after-effects from a fall during a tuneup tournament on grass in Berlin last month that hurt her hip.

“I was a bit slower, maybe. I was a bit scared,” Vondrousova said. “But credit to her. She was playing a good match, too. I didn’t feel at my best, (but) she didn’t gave me many points for free.”

How big a deal was this for Bouzas Maneiro?

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Tennis Wimbledon

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain celebrates after defeating Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic during their first round match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

She is competing in a Grand Slam tournament for only the third time and came into the day with an 0-2 record at those events. Bouzas Maneiro also had never won a match at a tour-level grass tournament and never beaten an opponent ranked in the top 10.

“This is one of the most important moments in my life, in my career, here in this sport. This is amazing,” said Bouzas Maneiro, a 21-year-old from Spain who is ranked 83rd this week, equaling her career high.

“I was like, ‘I have no pressure. Just enjoy the moment, enjoy the tournament.’ Just trying to be free playing, and I did it, so I’m happy for that,” she said.

Vondrousova added to the series of past major title winners dropping out of the singles brackets within the first 30 hours of action at Wimbledon this year — although others did so without playing a point.

Earlier Tuesday, Andy Murray pulled out of singles because he decided he wasn’t able to compete a little more than a week after having surgery to remove a cyst from his spine. His final appearance at Wimbledon, which he won in 2013 and 2016, will come in doubles alongside his older brother, Jamie.

Two seeded women who both have been ranked No. 1 and own two Australian Open championships apiece, No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 16 Victoria Azarenka, withdrew on Monday before their first-round matches because of shoulder injuries. Sabalenka was the pre-tournament favorite to take the women’s title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Intermittent rain delayed matches on the outside courts more than once Tuesday, and the retractable roofs at Centre Court and No. 1 Court were shut to allow play in those two stadiums. No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev lost, while winners on Day 2 included No. 1 Iga Swiatek, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula among the women, and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev and No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz among the men.

For Djokovic, his 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win against qualifier Vit Kopriva was the first match since having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on June 5.

“Obviously started a little bit more cautious, I would say. I didn’t really maybe go for certain shots 100% … (in) the first set,” said Djokovic, who wore a gray sleeve on his right knee. “I played, I think, just enough to win confidently in straight sets. I felt like as the match progressed, I moved better.”

The initial signs of trouble for Vondrousova on Tuesday came right away: She double-faulted three times in the very first game and got broken to trail 1-0.

“My serve wasn’t so good today,” Vondrousova said. “Overall, I think, I wasn’t at my best.”

She would wind up with seven double-faults, part of her total of 28 unforced errors, twice as many as Bouzas Maneiro in a match that lasted only a little more than an hour.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“I’m surprised with myself, honestly. At the beginning, I was a little bit nervous, but then … the atmosphere was so nice,” Bouzas Maneiro said. “I was comfortable here playing, and I was like at home. I don’t know why.”