Aussie Wimbledon best since 1999
Australia has made its best start at Wimbledon in 15 years after Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios joined five compatriots in reaching second round.
London, UK, 25 June 2014 | AAP
Australia has made its best start at Wimbledon in 15 years after Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios joined five compatriots in reaching second round.
Veteran Hewitt and rising star Kyrgios won opening-round matches in impressive style on Tuesday while James Duckworth and Matt Ebden both fell to seeded opponents.
After Bernard Tomic, Marinko Matosevic, Luke Saville, Casey Dellacqua and Jarmila Gajdosova all won on Monday, it took to seven the number of Australians making winning starts at the All England Club.
It means the nation will have its largest presence in the second round since 1999, when Hewitt was one of 10 to make it through.
“It’s great to see and really happy to see some of the young boys get through,” Hewitt said after a beating Poland’s Michal Przysiezny.
“(Saville) winning his first tour match at a Grand Slam, at Wimbledon, is fantastic.
“Bernie did his job yesterday and with Marinko winning his first match at Wimbledon, moving forward he’s a late developer.
“There’s been some good wins.”
Australia has fielded its largest singles contingent at the All England Club in 13 years, with women’s 17th seed Samantha Stosur and qualifier Sam Groth the other casualties on day one.